Story placed on DL with shoulder strain
Rockies recall Hoffman to start in place of Anderson
DENVER -- Trevor Story was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with a left shoulder strain that he suffered in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs. Right-hander Jeff Hoffman was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move and started Thursday's series opener against the Dodgers.
Story said he experienced minor pain in the back of his left shoulder that flared up when fouling off a first-pitch cutter from John Lackey in the fourth inning of Tuesday's 8-1 loss. Story finished the game, going 0-for-4, but was out of Wednesday's lineup.
"I just started my swing and just tried to stop and pull back and put the brakes on," Story said.
Story is eligible to be activated next Saturday in Cincinnati, though it's unclear when he will return to baseball activity. He will undergo regular treatment and strengthening exercises in the meantime.
Story missed the final two months of last season after undergoing surgery on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, suffered when sliding into second base and then falling on it when diving for a ground ball on July 30 against the Mets.
At the time of his injury, Story led the National League with 27 homers, a rookie record for a shortstop, and the Rockies were four games back of the second NL Wild Card, though they eventually finished 12 games under .500. Story finished 2016 with a .272 batting average, 72 RBIs and 130 strikeouts. This year, Story is hitting .180 with six homers, 15 RBIs and an NL-worst 48 strikeouts.
Pat Valaika started at shortstop on Thursday and will split time with Alexi Amarista during Story's stead, manager Bud Black said. Ian Desmond, who played short for seven seasons with the Nationals but not since 2015, is another option.
Black said that left-hander Tyler Anderson, Thursday's originally scheduled starter, is suffering from left knee soreness and will be pushed back to start Saturday.
Hoffman joined the club on Tuesday as the 26th man for the doubleheader, and pitched the final four outs of the nightcap, striking out two and giving up a solo homer to Kristopher Bryant.
Worth noting
• Black said catcher Tony Wolters is nearing a rehab assignment. Wolters is currently on the 7-day concussion disabled list after being hit on the helmet and mask by the bat of Hector Sanchez on May 2 against the Padres. This week, Wolters threw to bases and completed blocking drills. He is awaiting doctor clearance to be sent out.
• Left fielder David Dahl took dry cuts on Wednesday for the first time since he was shut down a few weeks ago, and on Thursday shagged fly balls. Dahl said he feels the best he has since suffering a stress reaction in his sixth rib early in Spring Training.