Oberg announced his retirement from baseball Tuesday and has accepted a part-time position with the Rockies.
Oberg was effective the last time we saw him pitch, but unfortunately that was back in 2019 before multiple blood clot issues sidelined him. The right-hander will retire with a career 3.85 ERA across 259 relief appearances across parts of five major-league seasons.
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Scott Oberg: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Oberg (forearm) became a free agent Tuesday after his team option was declined.
The Rockies' decision was a foregone conclusion, as blood clots have kept Oberg off the field for three straight seasons. The veteran righty appears to be all but retired at this point, as a comeback attempt seems very unlikely.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: May be headed for retirement
Rotowire
Oberg (forearm) acknowledged in an interview this week with Jack Etkin of Rockies Magazine that he's not actively preparing for a return to baseball. "I'm not really in a rush to pick up a ball again in the near term and give it another go," Oberg said. "Just in the sense that [I] keep running into the risk of having to go through all of this again. Now it's not really my decision, I don't feel at this point, really."
Oberg hasn't pitched for the Rockies or a minor-league affiliate since Aug. 16, 2019, after he was diagnosed with a blood clot shortly thereafter. Subsequent comeback attempts in August 2020 and in spring training last year were thwarted when the blood clots flared up again, with the latest one requiring surgical treatment on his throwing arm. With four document occurrences of the blood clot condition on his medical record -- he also had an incident that popped up in 2016 -- Oberg understandably has reservations about resuming his career and has since turned his focus to other endeavors, which include an online master's program at Georgetown University. Oberg is in the final season of a three-year, $13 million contract with the Rockies, so he's unlikely to formally retire until Colorado either releases him or declines his $8 million club option for 2023 later this fall.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Back on 60-day injured list
Rotowire
Oberg (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.
The move clears space for the Rockies to add the newly-signed Alex Colome. Oberg underwent surgery to address blood clots last March, a procedure which was thought to be potentially career-ending. There hasn't been any indication that he's expected back this season.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Placed on 60-day injured list
Rotowire
Oberg (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Oberg underwent potentially career-ending surgery to remove blood clots Thursday, so his move to the 60-day injured list comes as little surprise. Mychal Givens and Yency Almonte could compete for a setup role for the Rockies early in the regular season.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Career could be over
Rotowire
Oberg underwent surgery to remove blood clots Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Oberg has not seen major-league action since August 2019, and his most recent surgery will likely end his career. Oberg was pitching well this spring and appeared to be trending toward full health ahead of the regular season, but elbow issues flared up Thursday. Oberg was in line to serve as the setup man for the Rockies ahead of closer Daniel Bard this season, but Mychal Givens and Yency Almonte could now see more high-leverage opportunities in 2021.
Oberg allowed one hit and no walks while striking out one over one scoreless inning in Friday's spring loss to the Giants.
Oberg was sharp during his spring debut after undergoing offseason surgery, and he only allowed a two-out single while pitching in relief during the fifth inning. The right-hander is expected to make eight appearances this spring, and he'll be evaluated after each outing to make sure he doesn't experience any setbacks. If he remains healthy, Oberg should begin the season on the major-league roster, although Daniel Bard has been named the Rockies' closer to begin the year.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Scheduled to debut Friday
Rotowire
Oberg (arm) is scheduled to make his spring debut against the Giants on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Oberg has been brought along slowly to begin spring training after he underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome in September. He threw a live batting practice session Monday and will advance to Cactus League play Friday. Assuming he remains healthy, manager Bud Black hopes that Oberg will make eight spring appearances in order to fully build him up ahead of Opening Day. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander could compete with Daniel Bard for high-leverage relief opportunities early in the season.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Slated to throw live BP
Rotowire
Oberg (arm) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Oberg underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome in September, and he's facing hitters to begin spring training. The right-hander hasn't yet appeared in a Cactus League game, but the team will determine the next step in his recovery if his live batting practice session Monday goes well. Oberg said that he hopes to be back in game action by the end of the week. Barring any setbacks, manager Bud Black hopes that Oberg will be able to make eight appearances in spring games ahead of the regular season. Once he's fully healthy, the 30-year-old could be in the mix for save chances along with Daniel Bard.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Throws bullpen Wednesday
Rotowire
Oberg (arm) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Oberg continues to ramp up his throwing intensity after he underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome in September. He hasn't faced any setbacks in his recovery and should work his way into spring training games. If he continues to progress well in his rehab, the right-hander should compete for save chances with Daniel Bard ahead of Opening Day.
Oberg has had no setbacks in his return from surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome in September, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Oberg told reporters that he will continue to ramp up his throwing intensity and ultimately work his way into spring training games. He also noted that he will undergo ultrasound tests throughout the season to measure blood flow in his arm. Assuming his health remains on track, Oberg should compete with Daniel Bard for the closer role in Colorado.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Begins throwing program
Rotowire
Oberg (arm) began a throwing program Monday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.
This is his latest comeback attempt from a third set of surgeries to remove blood clots. He missed all of 2020 after clots formed again in his arm and shoulder. Oberg signed a three-year, $13 million contract last offseason, and could figure into the late-inning mix if he can prove he is healthy this spring.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Begins physical therapy
Rotowire
Oberg (arm) said Tuesday that he recently began physical therapy and hopes to begin throwing in late November or early December, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Oberg missed the entire 2020 season and recently underwent thoracic outlet surgery, a procedure that he hopes will allow him to continue pitching in 2021. While his status is dependent on how he progresses, he was hopeful as the offseason begins. "The plan is for me to start throwing after a couple of months, right around Thanksgiving or early December, right around when my normal throwing session would start," Oberg said. Pitchers who have underwent the procedure in the past have had mixed results after they returned, but there have been more success stories recently. When he's healthy, Oberg should compete for a high-leverage role in the Rockies' bullpen. The right-hander posted a career-best 2.25 ERA along with a 1.11 WHIP and 58:23 K:BB over 56 innings in 2019.
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Rockies' Scott Oberg: Undergoes surgery
Rotowire
Oberg (arm) underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome Tuesday to help alleviate blood clots, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.
Oberg missed the start of the season due to a lower-back strain, and he later dealt with blood clots in his right arm. As a result of his injuries, the right-hander missed the entire 2020 season. The Rockies hope that Oberg's procedure will allow him to pitch again in the future, but the team won't know his status until several weeks or months after he recovers.
Oberg (back) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Sunday due to blood clots in his right arm.
The 30-year-old was nearing his return from a back injury when he began feeling discomfort in his right hand and had trouble gripping the ball, and further evaluations revealed his blood clot issues have resurfaced. Oberg missed the final six weeks of 2019 due to the issue , and it's now the third time the problem has surfaced over the past few years. He'll be sidelined for the near future and may not pitch in 2020.
