DENVER -- Charlie Blackmon dodged the disabled list over the weekend after leaving Saturday's game against the Braves with back tightness and missing Sunday's game. After playing Monday's opener against the Padres, the Rockies center fielder was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to right quad tightness that flared up before batting practice, manager Bud Black said.
"We felt it was best to take him out of the lineup," Black said after Tuesday's game. "Hopefully it's day to day."
Blackmon also was held out Wednesday.
Mike Tauchman started in place of Blackmon in center both games, while DJ LeMahieu moved to the leadoff spot, as he did in Blackmon's stead over the weekend. It wasn't immediately clear how Blackmon sustained his latest injury. He did not take on-field batting practice with the Rockies' first group, as he normally does.
Blackmon was pulled ahead of the 10th inning of Saturday's game against the Braves with the back issue, but the Rockies said Sunday that sitting the slugging center fielder was more of a precaution than a concern. He went 1-for-3 in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Padres.
Blackmon, who signed a six-year, $108 million contract April 4, is hitting .282/.391/.641 with four homers and six RBIs in 46 plate appearances through 10 games. His presence atop a formidable Colorado lineup that has struggled through its first 11 games has been valuable, particularly given that the Rockies' primary bench players -- Tauchman, first baseman Ryan McMahon, catcher Tony Wolters and infielder Pat Valaika -- are a combined 3-for-55 after McMahon, Valaika and Tauchman went 0-for-7 in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Padres.
Tauchman made the Rockies' Opening Day roster after an impressive spring, during which he hit .333/.397/.567 in 60 at-bats. He is 0-for-11 with six strikeouts.
Hoffman starts rehab
Jeff Hoffman (right shoulder soreness) began his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Class A Advanced Lancaster. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on five hits, striking out two, over three innings against San Jose.
Hoffman will need multiple Minor League starts to build up his workload to a starter's level after being shut down following two Cactus League starts. Over 23 games last year, including 16 starts, Hoffman went 6-5 with a 5.89 ERA, after he had posted a 2.25 ERA over his first six outings. He threw batting practice last Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz., and progressed through his throwing program on Sunday with coaches and trainers present.