Back in February, as spring training was just getting started, Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers was jazzed about the 2021 season.
He was going to be the starting second baseman and was poised to fulfill the promise that comes from being the third overall pick in the draft.
“You haven’t seen me, be me. I’m ready to be me and get out there and show people what I’m capable of,” Rodgers said after the Rockies’ first full-squad workout.
Then came the pulled right hamstring, suffered when he attempted to steal second base during a Cactus League game on March 13. Friday night, finally, Rodgers was back in the majors after being activated off the injured list. He started at second and hit sixth against Arizona at Coors Field.
Rodgers’ last big-league game was Aug. 29 of last season. During his five rehab games at Triple-A Albuquerque, he hit 7-for-15 (.461) with two doubles.
“There’s the potential for opportunity, for Brendan to really gain footing as a major league player, and I think there’s going to be opportunity for him to play,” manager Bud Black said prior to Friday’s game. “The offensive upside is what we’re excited about, based on his skill level as a hitter. His swing plays in the big leagues. It’s short, but it has power, and it can generate extra-base hits or home runs.”
Rodgers, 24, was selected out of high school with the third pick in 2015, but he has yet to make an impact in the majors because of a series of injuries and his inconsistent performance at the plate.
Entering Friday, Rodgers has just 97 career at-bats, with a .196 average and no home runs since making his Rockies debut on May 17, 2019, at Philadelphia. In 2019, Rodgers played in just 25 games with Colorado before his season ended when he underwent surgery on his right shoulder.
In a corresponding move Friday, rookie infielder Alan Trejo was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Freeland’s time. Lefty starter Kyle Freeland will likely make his 2021 debut next week at New York when the Rockies play the Mets.
Freeland, who injured his left shoulder during a Cactus League game on March 23, turned in a strong, six-inning, 79-pitch performance for Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday night. Over 10 innings in his two rehab starts, Freeland posted a 1.80 ERA.
Black said that if Freeland does well in a bullpen session Saturday, Freeland would be cleared to rejoin the rotation. The way things line up, Freeland could pitch against the Mets on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
“We are really optimistic about his return, and about how he feels,” Black said, adding that he hopes that, “what happened in spring training will be a thing of the past.”
Estevez’s return. Colorado’s beleaguered bullpen will get a boost Saturday with right-hander Carlos Estevez scheduled to come off the injured list. Estévez, out with a strained middle finger on his right hand, struck out three and gave up two hits but no runs on Thursday night in his only Triple-A rehab appearance.
Estevez, who has a 3.60 ERA, was not good early in the season but pitched well in his final five games before going on the IL, allowing no earned runs, striking out six and allowing no walks.
On Deck
Diamondbacks LHP Madison Bumgarner (4-3, 4.15 ERA) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (1-4, 5.18)
1:10 p.m. Saturday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Senzatela is coming off an excellent start, allowing just one run on four hits across seven innings vs. the Reds. Unfortunately for the Rockies, their bullpen imploded and the Reds won 7-6. The right-hander has allowed three runs across 12 2/3 innings vs. the D-backs in two starts this season. Senzatela is 1-3 with a 4.46 ERA in six home starts this season. He’s 3-5 with a 5.68 ERA in 11 career starts vs. Arizona, including 1-2 with a 5.81 ERA in five starts at Coors Field. Bumgarner, who threw a seven-inning no-hitter earlier this season, left Monday night’s game against the Dodgers in the fourth inning with an apparent injury, but he’s on track to start Saturday. He did not pitch particularly well on Monday, giving up two runs on two hits with four walks. He gave up a solo home run to Will Smith in the second inning. Bumgarner is 18-9 with a 3.29 ERA in 38 career starts vs. the Rockies and 6-7 with a 4.77 ERA in 18 starts in Denver.
Trending: Charlie Blackmon collected the 1,331st hit of his career May 7 at St. Louis, passing Carlos González for third-most in franchise history. Entering Friday night’s game, Blackmon was just 20 hits away from passing Larry Walker (1,361) for the second-most in franchise history. Todd Helton is No. 1 with 2,519 hits.
At issue: Rockies catchers Elias Diaz and Dom Nunez have combined for a .157 batting average (worst in the National League) and .553 OPS (second-worst).
Pitching Probables
Sunday: Diamondbacks TBD at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (4-4, 3.48), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (2-4, 4.96) at Mets LHP David Peterson (1-3, 4.97), 5:10 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-2, 4.54) at Mets TBD
