Rockies' Aaron Cook shuts down season due to elbow injury

Colorado Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook has decided to shut himself down for the season and leave the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, where he has spent the entire year. His agent, Joe Bick of Pro Star Management, explained to MLBDailyDish's Chris Cotillo that he believes that the decision is the best for his client and the team.

"He's battling some physical issues in his elbow that he's never dealt with before. His stuff is down, his command isn't good, and he just felt he was doing a disservice to the club by continuing to pitch poorly in AAA at his age. So, he decided to shut it down (for the rest of year most likely) and try to get completely healthy for a shot next spring."

Bick noted that Cook's elbow injury is just significant inflammation, and that an MRI was clean of any ligament issues.

Since signing a minor league deal with the Rockies after being released by the Phillies at the end of spring training, Cook has struggled in limited time with Colorado Springs. In eight starts, the 34-year old is 0-5 with an 8.15 ERA in eight starts. He will be a free agent after the season.

In eleven major league seasons with the Rockies (2002-2011) and Red Sox (2012), Cook is 76-79 with a 4.60 ERA, 3.7 K/9, and 2.7 BB/9. He was a National League All-Star in 2008, when he posted a 16-9 record and 3.96 ERA in 32 starts.