SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Every day of rehab is a milestone for Rockies infield prospect Brendan Rodgers, who’s recovering from major shoulder surgery.
Little wonder that he was pleased to say Wednesday that, “I’m now throwing from 120 feet and can put a full swing on the baseball.”
Manager Bud Black, however, doesn’t expect Rodgers to play in the major leagues until May. That could mean that Rodgers will start the season on the 60-day injured list.
But Rodgers has a different timetable in mind. He’s going to be smart, but he’s also pushing to get back.
“Doogie (head trainer Keith Dugger) told me yesterday that we have possibly two strong weeks of a throwing program before I get out there and start doing stuff,” Rodgers said. “I have confidence and I know how my body feels. I’ll be completely honest with them, but if I feel like I can play I’m going to tell them.”
Rodgers, 23, made his big-league debut last season and played in 25 games but suffered with pain in his right shoulder. In July, he underwent labrum repair surgery. For more than a month he couldn’t lift his arm above his head.
“It was a crazy surgery,” he said. “I was in a bad place for a little bit but I’ve come a long way and I’m happy with where I’m at right now. I was shocked, for sure, on how the long recovery was going to take, but I’m on pace, in my eyes, if not even a little bit ahead.”
Rodgers hit .224 with no home runs in 25 games for the Rockies last season, but he did slash .350/.413/.622 with nine homers and 21 RBIs for Triple-A Albuquerque in 37 games.
Black on Murphy. Veteran first baseman reported to camp early and has been working out in the morning. Black expressed faith that Murphy, 35, will improve upon his performance from last season when he slashed .279/.328/.452 with 13 home runs. His defense, at times, was spotty.
“I know the pride of a veteran player, and I’ve just seen it too often,” Black said. “Guys like this bounce back.”
Black also said that the Rockies plan to play Murphy closer to the bag in 2020, in part because second baseman has good range to his left.
Footnotes. Former Rockies left-handed reliever , who recently announced his retirement, has joined the team as a special instructor this spring. … Right-handed reliever was back in camp Wednesday. He’s been dealing with what the Rockies called “a family situation.”
