Rodgers 'doing fine' after fastball hits helmet

DENVER -- Rockies rookie second baseman Brendan Rodgers, whose emergence has been a bright spot for the club, passed all initial concussion protocols after being hit in the head by a pitch from Josiah Gray during the first inning of the Rockies' 5-4 loss to the Nationals on Monday night at Coors Field.

Gray’s fastball traveled at 92.2 mph and bounced hard off the upper left side of Rodgers’ helmet. Rodgers was attended to on the field, and removed from the game for observation. He was able to walk off the field. Although he passed the initial protocols, the Rockies said they would continue to monitor his injury.

“He obviously was a little bit scared when he was down on the ground, but he got up and I took him out of the game for precautionary reasons,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “I was informed shortly thereafter that he was doing fine and I just checked on him.”

Gray, who lasted 5 1/3 innings and earned the win, said, “Obviously I didn’t intend for that to happen, so I hope he’s all right. I just had to buckle down and make my pitches from there on out, not to be timid with the fastball, not be timid to go inside to batters and just bear down and know that I’ve got to pitch my game as well. It’s really unfortunate that that happened, but I’ve got to go out there and pitch my game so that’s what I did.”

Rodgers has solidified the No. 2 spot in the Rockies’ order, to the tune of a .299 batting average, .325 on-base percentage, 13 doubles, six home runs and 22 RBIs since Aug. 1.