Michael Cuddyer placed on disabled list by Colorado Rockies

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies have received significant contributions from a cast of characters thus far this season. Hopefully that means that they can get by for short stretches of time without the services of their version of the “big three” from last season: Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, and Michael Cuddyer.

Of those three players, fans collectively expend significant energy on the importance of Tulowitzki and Gonzalez staying healthy. Hopefully that does not mean we overlooked the significance of an injury to Cuddyer, aka the Silver Fox, aka the defending NL Batting Champ, aka indisputably the best magician in the NL West, aka the best guy ever.

On Monday the Rockies were forced to place Cuddyer on the 15-day DL as a concession to his strained left hamstring. The injury occurred as he ran (see: hustled his rear end off like a boss) to first base on a groundball last week in San Diego. Per Thomas Harding of MLB.com:

"The start of Cuddyer’s stint is retroactive to Friday, which means he will be eligible to return on May 3. Utility man Charlie Culberson, an infielder by trade who can move to the outfield, was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Rockies kept Cuddyer active through the three-game weekend series with the Phillies but decided Monday they could not continue to play essentially a man short.”"

The injury did not seem too serious at first glance, so hopefully this stint on the disabled list will be all it takes to have Cuddyer healthy and back in the lineup for the long haul. Batting in the #2 spot in the order, Cuddyer has batted .317/.373/.533 so far this season.