Brandon Barnes Returns as Gerardo Parra Heads to DL

Brandon Barnes is coming back to the Colorado Rockies, and he’s bringing plenty of energy and enthusiasm with him.

Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday afternoon to take the place of Gerardo Parra, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left ankle sprain, retroactive to June 15.

In 17 games with the Rockies in April, Barnes batted .194 (6-for-31) with one run, two doubles, one triple, four RBI, one walk and seven strikeouts. He also started six games, all in center field, while Charlie Blackmon was on the disabled list.

The 30-year-old Barnes, always known for his competitive spirit and contagious enthusiasm in the dugout and on the field, was optioned to Triple-A on April 29 when Blackmon returned from his stint on the disabled list.

Barnes made his biggest splash of the season on April 22 with a two-run triple in the eighth inning to push the Rockies to a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field.

In parts of five Major League seasons with the Houston Astros (2012-13) and Colorado Rockies (2014-16), Brandon Barnes has batted .243 (263-for-1,084) with 122 runs, 52 doubles, eight triples, 19 home runs, 96 RBI, 63 walks, 330 strikeouts and 21 stolen bases. He was acquired via trade from the Houston Astros along with right-hander Jordan Lyles in exchange for outfielder Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later on Dec. 3, 2013.

Barnes will replace Parra on the active roster after the outfielder suffered a scary collision with shortstop Trevor Story in Tuesday’s win over the New York Yankees. Parra was camped under a fly ball from Jacoby Ellsbury when Story dove for the ball and into Parra’s legs. Parra had to be taken off the field on a cart.

While Barnes brings energy, Parra has brought a lot of offense that will be missed by the Rockies. The 29-year-old Parra, in his first season with Colorado, has batted .263 (64-for-243) with 32 runs, 20 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 27 RBI, four walks, 40 strikeouts and six stolen bases in 63 games for the Rockies. His 20 doubles are tied for third in the National League.

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The Rockies begin a six-game road trip on Friday with the opener of a four-game series against the Miami Marlins in south Florida.