Colorado Rockies Rundown: Kahnle Optioned To AAA, Gurka Recalled, Roberts DFA’d, Betancourt Released

Apr 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman J. Morneau (33) is congratulated after scoring in the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Morneau gets closer to returning

(via MiLB.com)

Justin Morneau began a rehab assignment with the New Britain Rock Cats on Friday night, on a three-game injury rehab stint that’s set to last him through the Rock Cats’ series against the Portland Sea Dogs over the weekend.

Morneau, who left a game in May with concussion-related symptoms and hasn’t played since, has been on the long mend, slowly taking batting practice on the field and recovering from an injury that cropped up again (albeit, slightly less severely) after nearly derailing his career as part of the Minnesota Twins.

[ Related: Too bad the Colorado Rockies couldn’t trade Justin Morneau ]

Morneau will likely return to the Colorado Rockies when rosters expand in September, and fight for at-bats at first base with fellow left-handed hitter Ben Paulsen, and perhaps right-hander Wilin Rosario.

The Colorado Rockies and Morneau hold a mutual option for 2016, though considering his age and now his injury history — as well as the Rockies’ relative depth at first base, with Paulsen asserting himself at the position — I’d be very surprised if the club picked up their portion of the option to bring Morneau back to Denver.

Eitehr way, congratulations to him for overcoming a serious injury and it’s a great sign to see that he’s well enough to play again despite his tenuous history with concussions.

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