Why Ryan Feltner Was Scratched Ahead of Saturday's Start

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Why Ryan Feltner Was Scratched Ahead of Saturday's Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew Jamieson | Last updated Aug 30, 2026 10:45 AM ET

Just hours before the Colorado Rockies‘ game on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves , scheduled starter Ryan Feltner was scratched, while Zach Agnos was named the new starter.

According to MLB .com’s Thomas Harding, Feltner got very sick the night before. While manager Warren Schaeffer said that the 29-year-old should’ve been available out of the bullpen if he made it to Truist Park, Feltner did not pitch in the Rockies’ 2-1 loss to the Braves on Saturday.

#Rockies are starting RHP Zach Agnos because RHP Ryan Feltner spent much of the overnight vomiting. Manager Warren Schaeffer said Feltner should be available out of the bullpen if he makes it to the park. https://t.co/c97Hi0Mht9
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) August 29, 2026

Despite the sudden change, Agnos impressed in his fill-in start. In just the 26-year-old’s third career start, Agnos tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while recording one strikeout. The outing was Agnos’s sixth scoreless appearance over seven games in August. He owns a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and three walks during that span.

On the season, Agnos is 0-2 over 35 appearances (three starts) with a 5.49 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 78.2 innings.

Behind Agnos, five Colorado relievers put together a gutsy effort but fell just short against a high-powered Atlanta offense.

Jaden Hill suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs in the eighth inning. He got the first two Braves hitters out, but surrendered back-to-back singles before Michael Harris clubbed the go-ahead two-run double just off the glove of center fielder Cole Carrigg.

Rockies scratched their starting pitcher (Ryan Feltner), got 7.2 scoreless innings from six relievers and managed to be four outs away from a win in Atlanta.

A defensive miscue (throwing to second) was all at took to give away the ballgame.

This will be an area of improvement…
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) August 29, 2026

Despite the tough loss, the good news is that Feltner is only dealing with an illness rather than a physical injury and should not miss significant time.

In 20 starts this season, Feltner is 5-8 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 97.2 innings. He has recorded 70 strikeouts against 43 walks, while opponents are hitting .281 off him. Feltner landed on the 15-day injured list because of right ulnar nerve inflammation in late April, causing him to miss a month of the 2026 campaign.

Injuries have been prevalent throughout the Rockies’ starting rotation this season. Chase Dollander is out for the season after undergoing internal brace surgery on June 23 to repair a right elbow UCL sprain. Elsewhere, Jose Quintana has not pitched since May 24 because of a left elbow sprain, while Kyle Freeland landed on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to cervical radiculopathy.

Fortunately, Feltner’s scratch on Saturday shouldn’t cause him to miss an extended period of time like several other Rockies starters this season.

Entering Sunday, Colorado (52-84) is tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the worst record in baseball.

The Rockies will look to avoid the sweep in Atlanta on Sunday behind Mason Adams, who will be making just his second career MLB start.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: