Gray's MRI confirmed an abdominal strain Wednesday, but the team did not provide a timetable for his return, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.
While it is not a direct arm injury, abdominal strains are still noteworthy for pitchers, as it affects the ability to rotate the torso. He will almost certainly start the year on the DL, as moderate oblique abdominal strains take six to eight weeks to heal. The Rockies will want to make sure Gray is fully healed before he returns to the mound, as returning too soon could complicate the issue. Chris Rusin and David Hale are presumably the top two options to replace Gray in the rotation at the start of the season, although neither pitcher comes close to matching Gray's upside, particularly in road starts.