When it rains it pours for the 2025 Colorado Rockies (30-82).
One of the few bright spots for this year’s team, the play of second-year closer Seth Halvorsen, dimmed a little on Saturday when he left Colorado’s game against Pittsburgh with elbow discomfort in his right throwing arm. Halvorsen leads the Rockies with 11 saves on the season in 42 appearances, striking out 36 with a 4.99 ERA.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
Often, as they look to the future, teams out of contention at the MLB trade deadline will move some of their better players in exchange for talented but cheap prospects. Colorado was approached about Halvorsen by some contending teams at last Thursday’s trade deadline, but they opted to keep him while they parted ways with a few other relievers. The decision was an apparent indication that Colorado’s front office sees Halvorsen as crucial to the team’s rebuild.
The hard-throwing righty got an MRI of his elbow Sunday morning and was placed on the 15-day IL (injured list). On Monday, the Rockies medical staff diagnosed Halvorsen with a mild right flexor strain and said there was no damage to the elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament. That means he likely won’t need surgery. If he did, it would be the second procedure on his throwing arm for the 25-year-old Chicago native; he had Tommy John surgery in 2019 at Missouri before closing out his college career at Tennessee.
Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer was relieved to know the injury wasn’t as serious as feared, and that Halvorsen could return this season. Despite owning the worst record in MLB, the Rockies are 8-8 since the All-Star break, and three of those wins were saved by Halvorsen.
“His demeanor is exceptional for that role in my ‘pen,” Schaeffer told MLB.com. “He’s the same guy every day, wants the ball, throws 103, the physical aspect with a nasty split and a good slider. He’s got big league closer stuff, he’s got big league closer demeanor. He doesn’t get shaken, he has a slow heartbeat. He learns from his mistakes. I can go on and on about Seth.”
Despite all the uncertainty around his elbow injury, Halvorsen didn’t let it dampen his spirits, as he participated in the 20th annual Colorado Rockies Faith Day alongside teammates Austin Nola and Zach Agnos on Sunday. The event featured Christian music star Jeremy Camp and was hosted by Rockies radio announcer Jerry Schemmel, who appeared on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in 2018.
At Faith Day, Halvorsen said Jesus is the anchor for all of life.
“Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, my Rock,” he said, according to Sports Spectrum staff members in attendance. “He’s a firm foundation. … Jesus is a constant help.”
Halvorsen also spoke about the reliability of the Bible.
“His Word is true and it’s alive today,” he said, echoing to the Bible verse Hebrews 4:12. “I believe that, and I think that’s where my hope comes in — my confidence comes from — it’s what Jesus did on the cross.”
Halvorsen explained that he grew up believing in Jesus, but his faith truly began to deepen during his fifth and final season of college. He spent that year at Tennessee, where he developed a consistent Bible-reading and prayer routine.
“It’s just been amazing to see the hope that He brings when you allow Him in your life,” he said. “You draw close to Him and He’ll draw close to you.”
View this post on Instagram
Halvorsen was also asked to comment on some of the challenges associated with being a Christian in professional sports.
“It’s easy to find identity in what we do every day or what I do every day, but that’s simply not the case,” he said. “Jesus is my identity. Jesus offers everyone to accept Him as [their] identity. In a works-based [profession] that is so results-oriented, it’s so encouraging and hopeful knowing that I don’t have to work for salvation. It’s a free gift from Jesus and there’s hope in that.
“There’s no hope in what I can do. I can’t do enough to get where I want to go in eternal life. That’s Christ alone, and what He did on the cross is enough. … I’ll see where Christ leads me and accept that path.”
Halvorsen stands secure on the rock of Christ, but his team is bracing for a stretch without its closer. The Rockies lost 9-5 on Sunday against the Pirates and 15-1 on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays in the two contests so far without Halvorsen.
Colorado will host Toronto (66-48) for two more games before heading out on a road trip. Tuesday’s first pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET while Wednesday’s is 3:10 p.m. ET.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— Rockies draft legend’s son Ethan Holliday No. 4 overall: ‘I’m so driven by faith’
— Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon to retire at season’s end: ‘I have been saved by grace’
— SS PODCAST: Former Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd on surrendering to Christ
— Relief pitcher Billy Wagner enshrined in Baseball Hall of Fame: ‘God is great’
— Orioles players share testimonies of faith in Christ during 1st-ever Faith Night
