Notes: Dahl near return; Tapia scratched

Rockies outfielder David Dahl had seven at-bats in action in Denver on Wednesday and is “getting really close” to a return from the lower back strain that has kept him out of the lineup since Aug. 17, manager Bud Black said.

Dahl took his at-bats against rehabbing right-hander Chi Chi González -- who has been out with a biceps strain since his lone start of the season on Aug. 3 -- and other pitchers in the team’s alternate camp. Black said reports were Dahl was “moving well.”

Before going to the injured list, Dahl was in an 0-for-17 slump with nine strikeouts. But the Rockies envision a return of the Dahl of 2019 -- a first-time All-Star who slashed .302/.353/.524 with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs in 100 games before an ankle sprain in August ended his year.

“David was an All-Star last year, had a great first half, and in the second half, unfortunately, sprained his ankle,” Black said. “That was a bummer for us and bummer for David. With a good David Dahl, that’s an offensive force, for sure.

“We need to get him back, get him in there and get him swinging like he’s capable, and he’s a very confident player. These first few weeks, performance-wise, David's frustrated. But a lot can happen in the next 30 games. Let's hope for the positive.”

Black added that González’s fastball was at “a velocity of 92-94 [mph], kept the ball down, had some sink, used his change -- threw all his pitches.”

Right-handed reliever Wade Davis, who last pitched in the home opener before going to the injured list with a right shoulder strain, had an “extensive bullpen session” on Wednesday, and the Rockies will monitor his progress Thursday.

Tapia scratched
Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia, hit on the right elbow by a pitch from the D-backs’ Alex Young in Tuesday night’s 5-4 victory, was removed from the lineup before first pitch on Wednesday at Chase Field. In six games as leadoff man, Tapia posted a .448 on-base percentage and was one of the most effective pieces of a struggling offense.

Garrett Hampson, already in the lineup in center field, moved to the leadoff spot, and Sam Hilliard joined the lineup in left field.

Additionally, Matt Kemp, originally in the order as designated hitter, took himself out of the lineup as part of protests across professional sports over recent high-profile incidents of police brutality against Black people.

Elias Díaz replaced Kemp as DH.