The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that rookie starter Chase Dollander has been placed on the 15-day injured list with forearm tightness, retroactive to May 19. It’s news no team, player, or fan wants to hear, especially for the Rockies who are in the midst of one of the worst seasons in not only franchise history but baseball history.

Dollander, 23, entered the season as Colorado’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, but he recently graduated from the club’s Top 30 list. After a strong spring training performance, Dollander didn’t make the Opening Day roster, but due to injuries to the rotation, he was selected to the big league club after just one start in Triple-A.

He made his debut on April 6 against the Athletics at Coors Field, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings of work. Since his debut, Dollander has posted a 6.28 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings over his first eight starts. His biggest issue has been the long ball, as his 10 homers allowed are tied for the fourth-most in the National League.

Among the Rockies’ many problems, the rotation has struggled quite noticeably. Inconsistency has plagued them as hits and runs have become plentiful for opponents. The starting pitchers have a combined 7.03 ERA, easily the highest in all of baseball and one of the worst marks in MLB history. Dollander has certainly gone through growing pains, having allowed four or more runs in half of his starts. Through his first three starts he gave up eight home runs, but has allowed just two in his next five.

The calling card of tallying strikeouts has proven quite evident as he is second on the team, but his minor league issues of battling his command has also been evident. Initial concerns arose recently due to a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand, but the team deemed it not an issue. In his previous start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dollander battled through 4 2/3 innings, giving up just a solo home run with six punchouts.

With Austin Gomber (shoulder) and Ryan Feltner (back) on the injured list with no clear timetable for return, the Rockies are shorthanded in the rotation. Both are progressing but rehab starts are likely to be needed. The depth options in the minors don’t necessarily provide much relief as Bradley Blaclock and Tanner Gordon were both battered in their last starts at the major league level, and haven’t been too hot in Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rockies had recently called up Carson Palmquist, who has struggled in his first two starts. In place of Dollander, Juan Mejia was recalled from Albuquerque. Mejia made his debut back on April 24, posting a 4.70 ERA in 7 2/3 innings before being sent back to Triple-A. With the Isotopes, Mejia has posted a 4.73 ERA in 13 1/3 innings with 22 strikeouts.

Dollander was scheduled to pitch on Friday in the series opener against the New York Yankees. As of now, there is no projected pitcher, but the Rockies could choose to use an opener with Ryan Rolison, or they will make a corresponding move on Friday to recall a pitcher like Anthony Molina.