Post-Op Information on Ian Desmond’s Injury

The Rockies suffered a huge blow last Saturday when key offseason addition, Ian Desmond, was hit by a pitch on his left hand by Reds’ pitcher Rookie Davis. Later news broke that he had suffered a fracture of his second metacarpal bone and would require surgery.

More information became available Thursday about the surgery performed Dr. Donald Sheridan on Wednesday, and it was mostly good.

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According to a report from Thomas Harding of MLB.com the surgery went well and Desmond could potentially return to the lineup as soon as mid-April. The expected recovery time is somewhere between 4-6 weeks. This is a lucky break for the Rockies’ who could have been without their new first baseman for much longer. Mark Reynolds suffered a similar fracture that ended his season in 2016.

The fracture occurred in Desmond’s second metacarpal bone, which is one of the many bones comprising the palm of the hand. It is essentially the base of the index finger. Reynolds’ injury was the 5th metacarpal on the pinky side of his hand and was required to withstand more force being on the side of his hand.

Along with providing the 4-6 week time frame, Rockies manager Bud Black said that since Desmond’s injury is on his left hand, he will still be able to participate in throwing drills and top-hand batting activity. It is obviously a blow to Desmond’s efforts to transition to first base but will hopefully not keep him out for very long.

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The Rockies’ will likely turn to last year’s first baseman, Mark Reynolds, to fill the void left by Desmond’s injury for the first couple weeks of the season. Although, not a part of the 40-man roster, it seems inevitable after this injury that Reynolds will be on the 25 man roster on opening day.