The Rockies made a couple of strikes earlier than tonight’s collection opener in Arizona. Most notably, Kris Bryant is headed again to the injured checklist. Colorado positioned the previous MVP on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 11, with a again pressure. Colorado recalled rookie outfielder Jordan Beck in his place. The Rox additionally introduced up righty Bradley Blalock, whom they acquired from Milwaukee within the Nick Mears commerce, whereas optioning southpaw Josh Rogers to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Bryant goes on the injured checklist for the eighth time in his Colorado tenure. It’s his third such stint of the season. Bryant misplaced a month final 12 months to a special again pressure. He handled one other core subject this summer season, as an inside indirect pressure saved him out between June 3 and July 23. Bryant hit .277/.352/.340 over 13 video games earlier than touchdown again on the shelf.
Since signing with Colorado on a seven-year free agent deal, Bryant has hit .250/.332/.382 throughout 671 plate appearances. He has appeared in 159 of the Rox’s 443 video games (just below 36 p.c) since signing. That’s not the one purpose that Colorado is headed for a fourth consecutive last-place end, but it’s onerous to examine a a lot worse begin to the largest free-agent funding in franchise historical past.
Colorado has alternated Bryant and Charlie Blackmon between proper area and designated hitter over the previous few weeks. Blackmon is at DH with Jake Cave and Sam Hilliard splitting the nook outfield work tonight. The 23-year-old Beck — a former top-40 draft pick of Tennessee — rejoins the group and may most likely get common enjoying time down the stretch. Beck hasn’t hit over his first 23 main league video games, however he’s raking at a .319/.402/.558 clip over 39 contests in Albuquerque. That’s glorious manufacturing even in a particularly hitter-friendly setting.
As for Blalock, he’s in place to make his group debut. He has made two begins with Double-A Hartford for the reason that commerce. Blalock made his large league debut with Milwaukee in June. He has in any other case spent the season in Double-A, delivering a 4.36 ERA over 18 begins. He might work as rotation depth or in a protracted reduction capability for no matter time he’s on the MLB roster.
