Estevez was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cardinals with back spasms, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez needed only nine pitches to record the final two outs of the eighth inning and would have returned for the final frame -- and the save opportunity -- were it not for the back spasms. It's unclear if the 26-year-old is expected to be available for Wednesday's contest.

Estevez pitched the seventh inning in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox, allowing one run on a solo homer.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Bud Black said last week that Estevez and Jairo Diaz would be in the mix for saves after Scott Oberg was placed on the injured list with a blood clot in his arm. Estevez's usage since then suggests he's behind Diaz in the pecking order; Estevez pitched in the eighth inning Aug. 23 ahead of Diaz, in the sixth inning Aug. 25 and then in the eighth Monday. Diaz blew the save Monday but was credited with the win, and even after the blown save, Diaz still has a 2.61 ERA and 17:2 K:BB this month.

Manager Bud Black said Monday that he's not ready to anoint a new closer, but he made it clear that Estevez and Jairo Diaz will be given chances to close out games over the remainder of the season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wade Davis squandered a lead in the ninth inning Sunday after Scott Oberg (blood clot) was placed on the IL earlier that day, and it doesn't sound like Black will be turning back to Davis as his closer. Both Estevez and Diaz throw heat, averaging over 97 mph on their fastballs. Estevez's season-long ERA is significantly better than Diaz's, but the estimators are pretty similar and Diaz has been on an excellent run of late (2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in his last seven outings), so it's not clear who will have the edge between the two.

Estevez (personal) worked around one hit and one walk to record a scoreless ninth inning in Sunday's win over the Padres. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

After German Marquez went eight strong innings, Estevez pitched the final frame in an 8-3 Colorado victory. It was Estevez's first appearance back after he spent a week on the family medical leave list. Estevez is averaging nearly 98 mph on his fastball, and his 27.2 percent strikeout rate is tied for the best mark on the team. He'd have a case to step into the closer role if Scott Oberg were to lose the job.

The Rockies placed Estevez on the family emergency medical leave list Sunday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

MLB rules dictate that Estevez will be inactive for at least three days, but no more than seven. The reliever will be replaced in the bullpen by Jesus Tinoco, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.

Scott Oberg, not Estevez, will be the Rockies' primary closer while Wade Davis (oblique) is on the injured list, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

A case can be made that Estevez deserves the look more than Oberg. For starters, Estevez throws his fastball about three mph harder than Oberg on average, and the peripherals point to Estevez being the far better pitcher so far this season. However, Oberg has been able to overcome the poor peripherals and turn in strong results so far, so for now manager Bud Black will turn to Oberg and possibly Jake McGee, when the matchups call for a left-hander in the ninth.

Estevez could factor into the ninth-inning mix with closer Wade Davis (oblique) landing on the injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

This is a tough one to call. The Rockies have an experienced righty in Seunghwan Oh and another candidate in Scott Oberg who currently has a 1.77 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. However, Oh is probably out of the conversation for now, having posted a 9.60 ERA in his first 15 innings. Things look far worse for Oberg under the hood; he has just 13 strikeouts in 20.1 total innings, and a 1:5 K:BB so far in the month of May. Meanwhile Estevez leads the team in holds with five, and his K-BB rate sits at a healthy 22.1 percent. Lefty Jake McGee could also see chances based on matchups.

Estevez was called up by the Rockies on Tuesday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez is up to replace Jake McGee, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain. He spent the entirety of 2018 in the minor leagues and owns a career 5.36 ERA after 87.1 innings in the two previous seasons.

Estevez was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez performed well in spring training with a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 8.1 innings, but was always facing long odds to make the roster. The 26-year-old missed the beginning of 2018 due to an oblique injury and spent the rest of the season at Albuquerque, where he struggled with a 6.35 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 28.1 innings.

The Rockies activated Estevez (elbow) from the 60-day disabled list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

EDGE Analysis

Colorado cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for Estevez by outrighting reliever Brooks Pounders to Triple-A. After being sidelined all season with an oblique injury followed by the left elbow strain, Estevez will have to prove his worth a little while longer at Albuquerque before rejoining the big-league bullpen.