Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado made big strides this season, despite his injuries. (Tony Gutierrez, The Associated Press)
Nolan Arenado’s season of highlight-reel plays, growth as a hitter and frustrating injuries is very likely over.
The Rockies third baseman, still lacking energy because of , is feeling better, but he acknowledged that he probably won’t play in any of the Rockies’ final 10 games.
“I guess there is a chance, but I don’t know how high a chance,” Arenado said Thursday before the Rockies hosted the Diamondbacks. “I know I couldn’t play tonight and I won’t be able to do anything for a couple of days. I’m tired, my body is tired. My energy is down. If I feel like my chest is 100 percent, I’m going to go, but if it’s not, I don’t think I’m going to try.”
Manager Walt Weiss all but said that Arenado’s season is over.
“It’s not like we have to get another look at Nolan,” Weiss said. “That pneumonia is going to zap him for a while. Even when he feels like he’s ready to go, he’s going to be short-winded out here for a few days. So that probably takes him up to the last few days.”
The 23-year-old has batted .287/.328/.500 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs in 111 games (432 at-bats) this season and could win for his standout defensive play at third. Arenado missed 37 games early in the season because of a broken finger.
Arenado underwent an MRI and CT scan Monday night for what the team suspected was a rib injury. The test revealed a chest bruise — and coincidentally doctors found signs of pneumonia. Arenado was removed from Sunday’s game at St. Louis in the fourth inning after aggravating a chest injury diving for a ball.
Weiss praised Arenado’s growth as a player in Arenado’s second season in the majors.
“We have to remember that this is still a very young kid, but I have seen a lot of maturity in Nolan this year,” Weiss said. “I like the way he handles the grind of the season; they way he’s handled tough at-bats, especially this second half of the season. I feel like he has really made a lot of headway with those things.”
Arenado hit .367 with 10 homers and 52 RBIs in 486 at-bats in 2013.
“Offensively, I think he’s becoming an elite hitter, too. We are looking at a perennial all-star if he can stay healthy. He’s a marvelously talented kid. Sky’s the limit. The thing I’m as excited about as anything is his maturity.”
Tags: Nolan Arenado, Walt Weiss
