The inevitable moment has come. Nolan Arenado has been called up from AAA Colorado Springs and will take over as the everyday third baseman as of Sunday. In turn, Chris Nelson has been designated for assignment.

Wish Chris Nelson all the best, he’s a great kid. Arenado makes anticipated debut today…@rootsports at 130mst

— Drew Goodman (@ROOTSPORTS_DG) April 28, 2013

Feb 25, 2013; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) is congratulated after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

You can feel for Nelson in that he was probably looking over his shoulder all season. Besides Arenado’s looming presence, he was being replaced late in games by Reid Brignac and even gave up a spot start to Ryan Wheeler. Nelson had lots of chances to snare a stable spot with the Rockies over the last few years and just never quite did it.

Arenado will try to boost an already impressive offense, improve the team’s defense, and bring some more buzz to the surprising first place Rockies.