Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers, one of the club’s prized first-round draft choices, is battling a shoulder injury again, though the Rockies are hopeful it’s nothing serious.
Rodgers, the third overall pick in 2015, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right shoulder capsular strain. The Rockies are hopeful that Rodgers’ injury is minor and he will resume baseball activities in four or five days.
Rodgers made his big-league debut last season and played in 25 games before his season ended because of a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery on July 17, 2019.
Rodgers was called up from the alternative camp Aug. 19. He played in seven games, hitting .095 (2‑for-21) with one double and two RBIs.
In other moves, the Rockies added newly-acquired right-handed reliever Mychal Givens to the active roster and also recalled right-hander Antonio Santos from their alternate training site. The Rockies optioned left-handed pitcher James Pazos to their alternate site.
Givens’ take. The right-hander said he expected to be traded, though not necessarily to the Rockies. He was used as a set-up man for the Orioles, a role that he will likely continue in Colorado.
“Right now, I’m just expected to fill any role that they think is necessary,” he said. “I will fill in basically whenever they need me to, and just have fun and pitch in, keep us in that playoff spot and try to win the World Series.”
Nolan’s take. Star third baseman Nolan Arenado gave a thumbs up to the Rockies for their trades for outfielder Kevin Pillar from Boston and for Givens.
“I played with Givens on Team USA in the (World Baseball Classic) in 2017,” Arenado said. “I really like him. Good dude. And he’s a good pitcher.
“I’ve always liked Pillar. He plays hard and plays a good center field.”
Owings update. Utility player Chris Owings, on the injured list with a strained left hamstring since Aug. 20, is making some progress but his return is not imminent.
“He’s progressing, he’s getting better,” Black said. “He still hasn’t hit. He hasn’t run or done any activity on the field. He’s hitting in the cage and that doesn’t bother him.”
Black added that Owings is running some on the treadmill and riding the bike and doing strength exercises, but Black is not sure when Owings is going to start doing full baseball activities.”
On Deck
Giants RHP Kevin Gausman (1–2, 4.54) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (2–3, 5.45)
6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet, ESPN
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Gray, who’s been erratic this season, is coming off an encouraging start last Wednesday at Arizona where he allowed one run on three hits, struck out five and walked three over six innings in Colorado’s 8–7 victory. Gray’s slider and fastball, according to manager Bud Black, were the sharpest they have been this season. Gray is 1–5 with a 5.30 ERA in his career vs. the Giants over 11 starts. He is 0–2 with an 8.20 ERA in four starts vs. them at Coors Field. The Giants typically don’t announce their starter until the day of the game but Gausman could be on the mound. He was the subject of trade rumors but was still with the Giants as Monday’s deadline passed. He has a terrific split-finger pitch that makes him tough to hit when he commands it well. Gausman has 48 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings and his fastball still comes to the plate in the upper 90s.
Trending: Nolan Arenado appears to be heating up, albeit without a lot of power. He entered Monday night’s game having hit safely in each of his last six games, batting .500 (11-for-22), with multiple hits in four of the games.
At issue: After his incredibly hot start, right fielder Charlie Blackmon had hit .194 (12-for-62) over his last 16 games entering Monday night. His batting average has fallen from .500 to .354 during that stretch.
Pitching Probables
Wednesday: Giants RHP Logan Webb (2–3, 4.75) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2–1, 3.43), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Off
Friday: Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3–1, 3.32) at Dodgers TBD, 7:40 p.m., ATTRM