Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander's 2026 season ends after UCL tear
Colorado Rockies right‑hander Chase Dollander will miss the remainder of the 2026 campaign after doctors confirmed a torn ulnar collateral ligament, a injury that will require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.
At 24, Dollander had emerged as one of the club’s most promising arms, posting a 3.89 earned run average over ten starts and contributing a 1.1 wins‑above‑replacement metric.
His most dominant outing came on April 26, when he threw seven shutout innings, fanning seven batters and holding the opposition scoreless.
The performance included a strikeout of slugger Juan Soto in a road victory over the New York Mets, underscoring his ability to handle elite hitters.
Medical experts project that the recovery process will extend well beyond the current season, effectively ending his 2026 schedule and casting uncertainty over his availability for the next campaign.
Dollander honed his craft at the University of Tennessee, where he was a key contributor for the Volunteers before being drafted by the Rockies.
The Rockies will need to adjust their rotation, potentially turning to younger prospects or exploring external options to fill the void left by the injured pitcher.