The Rockies have made some changes ahead of today’s game in Arizona. Kris Bryant is placed back on the injured list. Colorado has placed the former MVP on the 10-day IL retroactively to August 11 due to a back injury. Colorado has recalled the rookie outfielder Jordan Beck in his place. The Rox also have the right-handed Bradley Blalockwhich they received from Milwaukee in Nick Mears Trading while the Southpaw option Josh Rogers to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Bryant is on the injured list for the eighth time in his time with Colorado. It is his third such appearance this season. Last year, Bryant missed a month with another back strain. This summer, he dealt with another core issue, as an internal oblique strain sidelined him from June 3 to July 23. Bryant posted a batting average of .277/.352/.340 in 13 games before landing on the bench again.
Since signing a seven-year free agent contract with Colorado, Bryant has hit .250/.332/.382 in 671 batting appearances. He has appeared in 159 of the Rox’s 443 games (just under 36%) since signing. That’s not the only reason Colorado is finishing last for the fourth straight year, but it’s hard to imagine a much worse start for the biggest free agent investment in franchise history.
Colorado alternates Bryant and Charlie Blackmon between right field and designated hitter in recent weeks. Blackmon is DH with Jake Cave And Sam Hilliard share the outfield work tonight. The 23-year-old Beck — a former top-40 draft pick out of Tennessee — rejoins the group and should likely see regular playing time down the stretch. Beck hasn’t had a hit in his first 23 major league games, but he has a .319/.402/.558 batting average in 39 games in Albuquerque. That’s an excellent performance, even in an extremely hitter-friendly environment.
Blalock could make his debut with the team. Since being traded, he has made two starts with Double-A Hartford. Blalock made his major league debut with Milwaukee in June. Otherwise, he has spent the season in Double-A, posting a 4.36 ERA in 18 starts. He could be used as a rotation replacement or long reliever for however long he is on the MLB roster.
