Charlie Blackmon was activated from the injured list Monday and inserted into the Rockies’ lineup, batting leadoff as designated hitter in the series-opener against the Diamondbacks.
Blackmon missed 52 games after being placed on the IL June 10 with a fractured right hand. He played two games with Triple-A Albuquerque on a rehab assignment last week then rejoined the Rockies for the start of their homestand.
Asked what felt different during the rehab assignment, Blackmon said, “I was able to play baseball. I played a couple games, and I can play. … I feel good.”
Not knowing whether he would be in the outfield or DH-ing when he spoke to reporters pregame Monday, Blackmon said he would like to get back in the field. But returning to health has been a one-step-at-a-time process. He played outfield in his first rehab game then went to DH in the second game. “Being able to up the intensity and then not get sore the next day” was the sign Blackmon needed that he felt ready to return to the big leagues.
“Charlie’s a quick rehabber,” manager Bud Black said.
Cole Tucker was designated for assignment in the Rockies’ corresponding roster move Monday. Tucker is 3 for 8 in three games played this season.
Outfielder Jurickson Profar, who sustained a left knee injury Sunday in Los Angeles, was not in the lineup vs. Arizona, but his injury isn’t expected to be serious. He suffered it while making an outstanding catch on a Mookie Betts deep drive in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Black told reporters at the time that Profar would undergo an MRI, but he said Monday that Profar didn’t end up needing one. It was diagnosed as a sore knee.
“Old-school, what managers use to say in the ’80s and ’70s,” Black said. “‘How’s Profar?’ ‘He’s sore, he’ll be OK.’”
Blackmon’s return does have fortuitous timing. He adds stability to a young lineup that has been defined by strikeouts in a recent slump.
“I do think there’s an osmosis that rubs off,” Black said, hoping the developing Rockies will pay close attention to Blackmon’s hitting approach.
Black also said Kris Bryant had another X-ray done Monday, which showed Bryant’s finger is healing but still fractured. “He’s going to remain in the splint for a couple more weeks,” Black said, but he assured Bryant will “definitely” play again this season.
Tuesday’s pitching matchup
Diamondbacks TBA at Rockies LHP Ty Blach (1-1, 4.22 ERA), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Coors Field
TV:Â AT&T SportsNet
Radio:Â 850 AM/94.1 FM
After spending the first half of the season almost entirely as a middle-innings reliever, Blach has been carving out a rotation spot since the All-Star break. This will be his fifth consecutive start, and he’s looking to build momentum from the last one: his first time tossing six innings since June 2018. Blach allowed just one run on three hits against the red-hot Dodgers in his best outing of the season, lowering his ERA from 4.85. He has a 2.41 ERA as a starter this year, and in 14 career games against the Diamondbacks, he’s 0-2 with a 3.14 ERA across more than 28 innings. Blach has struggled at Coors Field with a 5.15 career ERA at the hitter-friendly confines, but he has thrown eight consecutive scoreless innings at altitude across his last three appearances.
Pitching probables
Wednesday: Diamondbacks TBA at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (9-9, 5.33), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Off day
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