The Colorado Rockies received a massive blow thanks to a new injury diagnosis.
Manager Bud Black told reporters on Thursday that Gold Glove second baseman Brendan Rodgers’ season could be over before it started. Black revealed that multiple MRIs showed that the damage to Rodgers’ left shoulder, which he dislocated, is worse than originally thought. He could now face surgery, which would put his 2023 season in jeopardy.
“There’s trauma to the capsule into the joint and all the surrounding tissues that keep the shoulder intact and secure,” Black told reporters according to ESPN.
The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft suffered the injury a week ago. He injured his shoulder while driving for a ground ball in a spring training game against the Texas Rangers last week. One of Colorado’s trainers was forced to pop Rodgers’ shoulder back into place, but it appears that the injury was worse than the initial diagnosis.
The 26-year-old was primed for a breakout year in 2023, after slashing a .266 average with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs last season. Now, he may not get that opportunity to continue to show he’s one of the better young infielders in baseball, largely to the disappointment of his manager.
“I was going to quit referring to him as a young player,” Black said. “This is now his time. This setback is a tough one because I really do think that he was ready for a big year.”
We’ll have to see if Rodgers’ shoulder sidelines him for the entire season. In the meantime, the talent-starved Rockies can’t afford any other injuries to key players, as losing Rodgers is a key blow to a team many have already picked to finish last in the National League West.
[ESPN]
