‘s return from an eccentric rib injury might tick away his clock this season. The Rockies outfielder finally returned to a baseball field last week and in four minor-league starts he has six hits. His opening in the majors, though, is closing.
“He didn’t have spring training. This fella has to get at-bats,” Colorado manager Bud Black said Monday at . “So he will stay down there for awhile to get some at-bats. We’ll see if there’s a return to the big leagues or not.”
Black acknowledged that Dahl’s extended absence with a stressed rib bone — a freaky injury that prevented him from making rotational movements, including hitting — put the 23-year-old behind schedule in his second season.
“He has 15, 20 at-bats. Thatap not very many,” Black said. “So he will stay down there for awhile to get some at-bats. This fella needs to hit and play well. He hasn’t played all season.”
Dahl hit .315 with a .500 slugging percentage last season over 63 games after a midseason call-up. His spot as the Rockies’ starting left fielder seemed secure. But in his second Cactus League game during spring training, he felt a tenderness in his upper back. It was diagnosed as a rib injury.
He only returned last week, for two games at Single-A Lancaster, before jumping to Triple-A. It left Dahl, one of the Rockies’ top prospects before he debuted last season, a mystery to his manager.
“He’s talented. But I haven’t seen him play, except on video,” Black said.
Rotation manipulation. Doctors on Monday checked out veteran right-hander after his abbreviated appearance in New York on Saturday. His diagnosis remains the same: A strained right calf. But his time on the disabled list will continue without a timetable for return, Black said.
In his place, rookie lefty Kyle Freeland pitched three hitless innings in his first career relief appearance. After a near no-hitter last week, Freeland has allowed just one hit over 11 1/3 innings.
“He got loose quickly, came in throwing strikes,” Black said. “He pitched with a great deal of aggressiveness. He was outstanding.”
The Rockies, though, want to give Freeland a breather by putting him in the bullpen to limit his innings. So he will not start in Chatwood’s spot Friday. With an off day Thursday, rookie will pitch on regular rest against the Pirates.
“Knowing these guys like I do, even though itap been a short period of time, these guys are on board,” Black said. “No mental hangups about pitching in relief. And no excuses. Thatap awesome. They just want to pitch.”
Antonio Senzatela, a rookie right-hander, will return to the rotation Tuesday against the Padres after his bullpen sojourn. will pitch Wednesday.
CarGo hold. Slumping right fielder did not start Monday, ceding his spot in the lineup to , but the Rockies will continue to let the slugger try to hit his way back to form.
“He had a nice stretch in late May, early June that hasn’t come back,” Black said. “There hasn’t been anything that we tried or he tried that has panned out. But believe me, itap coming.”
Gonzalez his hitting just 4-for-33 over his past 10 games and his season average has dipped to .214.
“He’s frustrated. But man, he’s a good Rockie,” Black said. “He’s still working hard. And itap gonna turn at some point. I wish I could tell you when. He’s been a pro, a team guy, very unselfish player. He’s doing everything he can. His preparation is outstanding.”
Diaz back. The Rockies recalled right-handed reliever and sent down lefty Zac Rosscup to Triple-A. Diaz returns after pitching one big-league inning this season, at San Francisco last month, when he allowed two earned runs on four hits. The 26-year-old missed all of 2016 after Tommy John surgery. “I feel really good,” Diaz said. “I’m here to do the best I can.”
Looking ahead …
Padres RHP Dinelson Lamet (3-3, 5.93 ERA) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela, (9-3, 4.63), Tuesday 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet, 850 AM
The Rockies set aside Senzatela in his rookie campaign to preserve his innings, moving him to limited duty in the bullpen on June 23. The 22-year-old threw just 34 2/3 innings in Double-A last season and after a jump to the majors, he is already at 93 1/3. So the Rockies are playing cautious. His last start, against Arizona, resulted in nine runs over five innings of a loss. After three relief appearances, Senzatela made one start in Triple-A to build back into starter’s length. He will return against a fellow rookie in Lamet, who has eight starts to his name. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
Wednesday: Padres LHP Clayton Richard (5-9, 4.75) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (2-1, 6.23), 1:10 p.m., no TV
Thursday: Off
Friday: Pirates TBA at Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (6-1, 4.33), 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
This article was amended to denote David Dahl’s first two rehab games were played at Single-A Lancaster.
