Weekend Links: Rockies News 4/27

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The Colorado Rockies lost the second game of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. Coming off a high quality 5-4 victory in the first game of that series, the struggles of Juan Nicasio and some missed opportunities from Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki resulted in a 6-3 loss.

Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies and around the rest of the league:

From Patrick Saunders: Trade of Dexter Fowler reaping early rewards for Rockies (Denver Post)

"I know it’s early. I know that second-guessing the Rockies’ front office is a popular pastime. I agree that the Rockies’ mediocre record in recent years deserves criticism. But it’s sure looking like they’ve hit a grand slam with the Fowler trade.”"

From Timmy Kennedy: Jose Abreu breaks April rookie record for home runs (Call to the Pen)

"Abreu has a massive .632 slugging percentage and a ridiculous .368 isolated power. Furthermore, the fastball hitter has a 83% contact percentage within the strike zone and a 58% contact percentage outside the strike zone.The slugging first baseman can defend, too. Abreu has put away 26/26 routine plays and even made one ‘remote’ play – a play in which the player has a 1-10% chance of actually making the out.”"

From Christina Kahrl: Nats have to roll with Bryce Harper’s injury (ESPN)

"No, dialing back from the entire concept of Harper drama, for the Nationals this is a problem. Even if Harper misses just the two weeks, that’s two weeks without three men from the Nats’ ideal eight-man lineup available, because this is the latest injury to add to a lineup litany that already includes the losses of Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos until mid-May.”"

From Buster Olney (via Twitter)