Brendan Rodgers is beginning to feel like a baseball player again.
The Rockies’ Gold Glove second baseman took live batting practice for the first time Saturday since injuring his left shoulder during spring training. He also took extensive infield practice and ran hard on the bases.
Rodgers, 26, will travel with the Rockies to Houston and San Francisco next week and then report to Arizona for extended spring after the All-Star break.
“I’m totally excited and I’m really looking forward to hitting,” Rodgers said.
Manager Bud Black said that it’s possible that Rodgers, after he works his way into games in Arizona, and after finishing a minor-league rehab assignment, could return to the Rockies for games in August and September.
“I think it’s important for him to play as much as possible, coming back for peace of mind and confidence, just so he can have as normal an offseason as possible,” Black said.
Rodgers injured his shoulder during a Cactus League game on March 6. The injury was originally announced as a dislocated shoulder and the Rockies hoped it would be a short-term injury. A follow-up examination, however, revealed that Rodgers needed surgery to repair his torn labrum. There were concerns that Rodgers would miss the entire season, but he’s worked extremely hard during rehabilitation and now could play as many as 50 or 60 games.
Rodgers underwent a similar surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder in July 2019, which ended his rookie year.
All-Star talk. Reserves for the All-Star Game in Seattle will be announced Sunday afternoon. Every team will be represented by at least one player. The Rockies’ two realistic possibilities are catcher Elias Diaz and third baseman Ryan McMahon.
“I’d like to see both of them get in; they’re deserving,” Black said.
Colorado has never had an All-Star catcher so Diaz would make some history.
“That would be great,” Black said. “I think he’s in.”
Diaz entered Saturday night’s game against Detroit hitting .286 with a .799 OPS, nine home runs, and a team-high 45 RBIs. Diaz’s 68 games at catcher were the second-most in the majors and his 13 catcher-caught stealings ranked second in the National League.
If McMahon makes the All-Star Game, it will be because of his recent surge at the plate. After a painfully slow start, the third baseman has slashed .344/.431/.624 with eight home runs, seven doubles, and two triples over his last 33 games. Over that span, McMahon ranks among the NL leaders in OPS (1.055, first), average (third), total bases (78, tied for third), and slugging (tied for fourth).
McMahon has been excellent in the field all season and his 1.2 dWAR (Baseball Reference) is the second-highest among NL third baseman, trailing Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday because of inflammation in his lower back.
All-Star Game reserves are selected by player voting and selections from the commissioner’s office.
Sunday’s pitching matchup
Tigers RHP Matt Manning (1-1, 4.15 ERA) at Rockies RHP Connor Seabold (1-4, 5.98)
1:10 p.m. Sunday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
The learning curve has been steep for Seabold, whom the Rockies hope they can count on for the rest of the season. Seabold was charged with a loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out three. Although Seabold owns a 6.19 ERA as a starter this season. He registered a 4.50 ERA over his first eight starts before giving up a combined 13 runs across his last two appearances. Manning, 25, made a mostly solid apperance at Texas on Tuesday. He had not pitched for the Tigers since April 11 as he recovered from a fracture in his right foot and he threw 97 pitches. Through the first five innings, the right-hander stymied the Rangers’ powerful offense, holding it scoreless, but he ran into trouble in the sixth.
Pitching probables
Monday: Off day
Tuesday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-8, 4.88) at Astros RHP J.P. France (3-3, 3.13), 2:10 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Chase Anderson (0-3, 6.50) at Astros RHP Ronel Blanco (2-0, 4.73), 12:10 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Off day
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