PITTSBURGH — His left hand red and swollen, Rockies’ center fielder Scott Podsednik predicted today that he would be out roughly three weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his left pinky finger.
Podsednik suffered the injury stealing second base in a Saturday win over the Reds in Cincinatti.
“It would have been frustrating regardless of how I’m playing,” Podsednik said. “If I continue to go out there and it broke all the way through, it would be much more serious.”
Podsednik was enjoying a nice stretch after disappearing for nearly a month. He had 10 hits in his last 17 at-bats. He had started six of the last 15 games in center field, allowing Willy Taveras to keep his left quad injury healthy.
The benefactor of the injury was Cory Sullivan, who will replace Podsednik on the roster. His return with the Rockies though is a bit of a surprise.
“I am glad to get this chance and I am ready to contribute,” Sullivan said Tuesday.
Sullivan was called up earlier this season and used in a reserve role. He’s considered an elite defender and hit .306 with six home runs and 40 RBIs in Triple-A.
The Rockies cleared a spot on their 40-man roster by designating pitcher Alberto Arias for a Triple-A assignment.
Rotation still rotating
Manager Clint Hurdle remained unsure Tuesday whether Valerio De Los Santos will start Saturday after he lasted four innings in his first start since 2000 on Monday.
The team is still trying to work out a trade for another starting pitcher, with Cleveland’s Paul Byrd and Oakland’s Justin Duchscherer remaining possibilities.
Rockies lineup vs. the Pirates on Tuesday night:
CF Taveras
2B Baker
LF Holliday
RF Hawpe
1B Atkins
3B Stewart
SS Tulowitzki
C Iannetta
P Rusch
