Colorado Rockies Rumors: Ian Desmond to Make His Debut on Sunday?

Reports are indicating that Ian Desmond may make his debut for the Colorado Rockies on Sunday in the finale of their three-game road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Desmond spent Friday and Saturday taking part in extended spring training games at the Colorado spring training complex in Scottsdale, not far from Phoenix where the Rockies are playing this weekend against the Diamondbacks. The proximity allowed Colorado management to witness first-hand how Desmond looked at the plate and in the field after playing in game situations for the first time since fracturing his hand after being hit by a pitch in mid-March.

Reports indicate that Desmond logged a 5-for-14 mark at the plate in his two extended spring training games. That included four doubles and a home run.

According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, that could be enough to push Desmond into the Colorado lineup on Sunday.

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Desmond was originally brought to Colorado to fill a perceived hole at first base. However, Mark Reynolds has filled in for Desmond and been one of Colorado’s most pleasant surprises of 2017. Entering Saturday’s game in Arizona, the 33-year-old Reynolds was hitting .306 with seven homers and 20 RBI.

The flexibility that Desmond has shown over the last few seasons was one of the most intriguing parts of his offseason signing. He has excelled at both shortstop and in the outfield in recent seasons, giving Colorado plenty of options on where to play Desmond, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Rockies in the offseason.

Next: Where Desmond Could Play When He Returns...

If Desmond plays for the Rockies on Sunday, Colorado will have to make a corresponding move to put him back on the active roster. A likely candidate to be sent to Triple-A to make room for Demsond is Cristhian Adames, who is 0-for-13 with six strikeouts in limited action for the Rockies in April.