It’s been a frustrating, injury-filled first season for veteran Ian Desmond with the Rockies, but he can erase some of that angst with a strong sprint to the finish.
Desmond, 31, the Rockies’ utility man who signed a five-year, $70 million free-agent deal during the offseason, returned from the disabled list Monday as the Rockies opened a three-game series against Detroit. Desmond suffered a broken hand during spring training, followed by two stints on the disabled list for a strained right calf. He has been limited to 65 games. He’s batting .285 with five home runs and 32 RBIs.
“I can remember my press conference when I signed here,” Desmond last week before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque. “This is the circumstance that we wanted; meaningful baseball coming down the stretch in late August and September, and we got it. It’s up to us to go out there and play. I’ve got to get back and healthy, and see how it shakes out.”
Desmond played in the postseason with Washington in 2012 and 2014, and with Texas last season.
Desmond started in left field Monday night when Carlos Gonzalez was scratched late because of a sore left ankle. Going forward, the Rockies plan to use Desmond at first base, left field and shortstop during the final five weeks of the regular season.
“Ian is a big part of our team,” manager Bud Black said. “When he’s active, I think we are getting close to having our best 25 players. The main thing is that he feels good about his calf. He feels good mentally, and he feels good about where he is, making contributions from here on out.”
Black acknowledged last week that Desmond will likely see some time at shortstop, but has remained coy about how much Desmond will play there. Desmond played shortstop for Washington during his first six full seasons in the major leagues, but he has not played short for Colorado.
Parra at cleanup. and garner the most headlines and for good reason. Blackmon has swatted 31 home runs from the leadoff spot and leads the National League with a .337 average, while Arenado has hit 29 homers and entered Monday’s action tied for the major-league lead with 108 RBIs.
But outfielder is having a remarkable season, despite missing 28 games with a strained quadriceps. Lately, he’s been hitting cleanup, though he’s smacked only 10 home runs while driving in 60 runs. Parra is hitting fourth largely because of ‘s season-long ineffectiveness.
“When guys are on base, ‘GP’ has done a good job overall of knocking these guys in,” Black said. “Does he profile as a cleanup hitter or a guy who hits fifth? Probably not as much as you think of other guys (doing it). But for this group right now, as far as how guys are swinging and playing, it fits for us.”
Parra entered Monday’s play hitting .348.
Footnotes. To make room for Desmond on the 25-man roster, rookie outfielder was optioned to Triple-A. Although the Rockies can add to their roster with September call-ups beginning Friday, Tapia will have to miss a minimum of 10 big-league games before he returns. … Black reiterated Monday that Greg Holland will remain the team’s closer, despite recent setbacks, though he acknowledged that Holland must improve the command of his slider.
Looking ahead …
Tigers RHP Michael Fulmer (10-11, 3.69) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (10-5, 4.18), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, AT&T SportsNet; 850 AM
Marquez, just 22, has become a dependable force for Colorado, ranking second among big-league rookie starters in victories (10), fourth in innings pitched (125) and second in strikeouts (115). Marquez tossed six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits in the Rockies’ 3-2 win at Kansas City last Thursday. Fulmer has endured elbow problems for much of the second half of the season and he went on the disabled list earlier this month, yet he has continued to battle for the Tigers. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over six innings against the Yankees last Thursday, a game marred by bench-clearing brawls. Fulmer has a 4.50 ERA in three starts (18 innings) since returning from the DL. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Wednesday: Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (9-8, 3.90 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (0-1, 3.79), 1:10 p.m., MLBN
Thursday:ڴ
Friday: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (7-7, 3.55) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (11-8, 3.81), 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
Saturday: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (12-11, 3.91) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (6-3, 4.18), 6:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
