Injuries & Moves: Blackmon activated; Bouchard optioned
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June 29: OF Charlie Blackmon (right groin strain) activated from 10-day injured list; OF Sean Bouchard optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque
The Rockies’ best stretches of this season came with Blackmon in the leadoff spot, and he led off on Saturday against the White Sox. His return also is a benefit to Brenton Doyle, who has batted .116 in 11 starts at the top of the order, but .316 in 14 games at the No. 2 spot -- where he was placed upon Blackmon’s return.
With Minor League options and a fluid roster, Bouchard once again is the odd man out when a player returns from injury. The Rockies still see him as a player who can deliver a patient at-bat and provide occasional power.
June 28: INF Aaron Schunk selected from Triple-A Albuquerque; INF Alan Trejo designated for assignment
Albuquerque manager Pedro Lopez can be creative in his methods of informing players they are going to the Majors for the first time. Lopez called a full team meeting to scold the team for bad challenges through the automatic balls and strikes system. But he broke the gag to let Schunk -- and righty reliever Riley Pint, who debuted last year -- know they were headed to Chicago.
Schunk, 26, Colorado's No. 30 prospect and a second-round pick out of the University of Georgia in 2019, has always been a solid offensive player and was hitting .291 with seven homers and 43 RBIs this year with Albuquerque. But his versatility, with the Rockies taking a good look at him at shortstop in Spring Training, helped push him over the top.
“It was them kind of cracking the door open to see if I could fit into that utility spot, and they liked what they saw," Schunk said. "I felt comfortable and started playing there during the Triple-A season.”
Trejo, 28, spent four seasons in the utility infield role. This year he received just 67 plate appearances and batted .143. Schunk now enters the difficult role, backing a set of infielders who play most of the games. But manager Bud Black noted that there could be opportunities, with the Rockies beginning a stretch of games over 17 straight days.
June 28: RHP Riley Pint recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque
The addition of Pint, 26, is the corresponding move to the placement of RHP Jake Bird (right groin strain) on the injured list earlier this week. Pint, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, debuted last year after a long trip to the Majors -- which included a brief retirement.
This year, Pint sparkled with a 2.84 ERA in 16 Minor League games (14 with Albuquerque), but it wasn’t easy, of course. He was out of Triple-A action for 7 1/2 weeks with a right shoulder ailment. In five appearances since his return (two with the Arizona Complex League Rockies), he had seven strikeouts and a .182 batting average against him. And while his path is worth appreciating, his attention is on now and the future.
“It's been a long process, but I'm finally very comfortable in my mechanics and very comfortable with my delivery,” Pint said. “So I work on it every day to try to keep feeling the good things that I’m feeling right now.”
Manager Bud Black said, “Talking to the Triple-A staff and the development people, they feel as though now is the time to give him a look. The strikeout rate is high. The hit rate is OK. The walk rate is high. Let’s get him here and concentrate on the ball in the strike zone.”
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
C Elias Díaz (left calf strain)
Expected return: July
Díaz ran on June 28 and 29, and he and manager Bud Black continue to feel positive about the progress. That means Díaz could return before the All-Star break. (Last updated: June 29)
INF/OF Kris Bryant (left rib contusion, oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Bryant has moved forward in the recovery from his latest injuries. Manager Bud Black said Bryant took swings in the batting cage at Coors Field on June 28. There is no timetable on his return to the roster. (Last updated: June 28)
OF Zac Veen (low back strain; MLB Pipeline No. 90 prospect/Rockies No. 6)
Expected return: TBD
Veen, 22, began a rehab assignment in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League on June 28 after having previously worked out at the team’s complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. A left hand/thumb injury -- in addition to the back ailment -- had slowed Veen’s progress. Veen was off to a solid start at Double-A Hartford to begin the year, slashing .326/.418/.568 across 28 games. (Last updated: June 28)
RHP Jake Bird (right groin strain)
Expected return: TBD
Bird was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 23, with a right groin strain prior to the Rockies’ game against the Astros on June 26. Bird left his June 22 outing against the Nationals with the training staff after recording one out. It is his second IL stint after he missed a month with right elbow tightness. Bird returned on June 17. Bird is 1-1 with one save and a 6.26 ERA in 22 games this season. (Last updated: June 26)
2B Adael Amador (right oblique strain; MLB Pipeline No. 32 prospect/Rockies No. 1)
Expected return: TBD
Obliques are tricky, but the Rockies are optimistic about Amador’s. Manager Bud Black noted that Amador missed limited time when he sustained a similar injury at Double-A Hartford earlier this season. Unless there are other Rockies infield injuries, Amador, 21, will likely be returned to Hartford to continue his development. (Last updated: June 21)
OF Jordan Beck (broken left hand; Rockies No. 4 prospect)
Expected return: July
Beck is doing conditioning and running at the team’s complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., and it’ll be two or so weeks before he can begin using the hand for baseball activities. Dr. Donald Sheridan performed surgery on May 29 to insert a plate in Beck’s hand to aid in healing. Injured on May 25, Beck’s original 4-6 week timeline has been adjusted to 6-8 weeks. (Last updated: June 21)
LHP Josh Rogers (left rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: TBD
Rogers, whose five appearances with Colorado were his first in the Majors since 2022, underwent an MRI. The preliminary report was that there wasn’t extensive damage, but it’s too early to predict when he will return. (Last updated: June 19)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Germán Márquez (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Around midseason
Rockies manager Bud Black announced on June 29 that Márquez is slated for another rehab start for Triple-A Albuquerque, either July 3 or 4. On June 28, Márquez threw 33 pitches in just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four runs on four hits, including a two-run homer on a hanging slider. But Black said there were positives.
At the top of the list was the fact Márquez reported on Saturday morning that his arm felt good. Also, Márquez‘s fastball reached around 97 mph. Poor command and some bad luck contributed to the poor outing. (Last updated: June 29)
RHP Antonio Senzatela (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Possibly late this season
On June 29 at Guaranteed Rate Field, Senzatela went through an aggressive 30-35 pitch bullpen session using only his fastball and changeup, as he builds stamina. In the first week of July, he is expected to be cleared to throw breaking balls from the mound. Senzatela could face live hitters soon, too.
Upgrading to such live batting practice sessions usually means an injury rehab stint is coming shortly thereafter, but Senzatela will not be on such an accelerated schedule. The goal is to get him to the Majors for the final month or so, not within a few weeks. (Last updated: June 29)
LHP Lucas Gilbreath (Tommy John surgery, shoulder discomfort)
Expected return: TBD
Gilbreath has been throwing bullpens steadily, and hopes his next one is 30 pitches. If he reaches that level, he hopes to be cleared to face hitters, but the club will decide. On June 21, Gilbreath -- a Colorado native who prepped at Legacy High School in Broomfield -- imitated a drill that was a favorite of one of the Rockies of his youth, 2002 National League Rookie of the Year Jason Jennings. Gilbreath, as Jennings did, went through his motion, but instead of throwing a ball, he held a towel in his pitching hand. There was a folding chair in front of him, and if the towel hit the chair just right, it meant he was “behind the ball,” and the arm motion was accurate and safe. (Last updated: June 21)
RHP Daniel Bard (right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Bard, who tore the meniscus in his left knee while playing catch prior to Spring Training and underwent surgery, had a setback rehabbing and had season-ending surgery on his right arm on May 1. The Rockies placed him on the 60-day IL to add left-hander Ty Blach to the active roster.
Bard, 38, is in the final year of a two-year, $19 million contract. Bard has said he would like to return after a year of rehab, but he will see how he feels and consult his family before committing to pitching again. Read more >> (Last updated: May 1)