Carlos Gonzalez Appears Headed To The Disabled List

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Having reached a point where it has been over a month and things still are not any better with his injured finger, it looks like Carlos Gonzalez might finally be headed to the disabled list. Here is what CarGo told the Denver Post:

"I don’t want to go on the DL. But I can’t swing. I am just a slap hitter, that’s all I can do right now. It’s right back to where it was (during the Atlanta series).”"

In so many ways this is sad news. First of all it takes away from CarGo’s chances to add to his already impressive statistics this season (.302/.367/.591, 26 HR, 70 RBI, 20 SB). Secondly, it makes it official that he and star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will miss extended time this season, lending more credibility to the notion that the Rockies can’t go anywhere without both stars healthy, and it always seems like one of them is hurt (Tulo more than CarGo, but still).

Finally it is a concession that 2013 is probably a lost season. If the Rockies were still within a shot of first place, it might be worth it to keep CarGo in the lineup as a threat or even as a slap hitter. Like the Rockies in the standings, CarGo was going to hang on as long as he could. Now that he and the team will give in and place him on the DL, there will be no rush to get him back. That will give him plenty of time to heal and be 100% ready to return when the time comes, but it also confirms that the Rockies have reached the point when they will start looking towards next season.