SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Manager Bud Black has a favorite saying: “Every day is a test.”
And Tuesday’s test didn’t go very well for Ian Desmond, the all-star shortstop and outfielder who is making the conversion to first base for the Rockies.
As Black noted, “It’s not even March 1 … I feel really confident that he’s going to be a really good defender.”
Understandably, Desmond is still rough around the edges at his new position. Tuesday, he had a chance to pull off a snazzy double play in the third inning on a grounder by the ‘ Chase Utley. Desmond picked the ball cleanly, made a nice pivot toward second base, but unleashed a high throw and was charged with an error. In the fifth, Desmond failed to make a scoop on an infield throw, extending the Dodgers’ five-run frame.
“He fielded the ball great on the groundball and just rushed the throw,” Black said. “We work day in and day out on balls in the dirt and he just missed that throw. Ian had some plays to make and didn’t make them, but again, he’ll get to make more plays in the field and he’ll get comfortable.”
Dahl update. Outfielder David Dahl will be sidelined for the next few days with back soreness, Black said Tuesday morning.
Dahl, who is competing with for the starting job in left field, was scratched from the lineup on Monday and did not suit up Tuesday.
“It will be fine,” Dahl said before he went into the training room to receive treatment on his back.
Said Black: “I don’t think it’s too big of a deal, but you probably won’t see him for the next few days. It’s been ongoing. I don’t think it was a one-time event. It was a gradual sort of soreness. He’ll be fine.”
Lyles struggles: Former starter is trying to secure a place in Colorado’s bullpen, but he struggled Tuesday against the Dodgers. The right-hander was charged with five earned runs in one inning, giving up home runs to Andre Ethier and O’Koyea Dickson.
“The ball to Ethier was intended to go inside and it came back over the plate,” Black said. “He was just up overall today. The fastball was elevated and it didn’t look like it had the crispness it had a couple of days ago.”
