Colorado Rockies: 5 guarantees for the rest of the 2017 season

Injuries are going to happen. We just saw Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout go on the disabled list with a torn ligament in his thumb. The injury has doomed the Angels season according to many “experts” in the field.

Colorado Rockies

So what would happen if Colorado suffered an injury to Nolan Arenado or Charlie Blackmon? There are players on the team who are more irreplaceable than others, of course. However, the Rockies have tried to safeguard against injuries as much as possible by building a team focused on versatility.

Last season, when Trevor Story’s record-setting season was cut short by a thumb injury, the Rockies struggled as Cristhian Adames and Daniel Descalso tried to fill in. The plan simply didn’t work. It didn’t work when Mark Reynolds went out with a broken hamate bone either. Gerardo Parra at first base (when he was healthy)? Not good.

So what would happen if Story was lost for the season again this year? The Rockies have Alexi Amarista and Pat Valaika as well as Ian Desmond, who could revert back to the position he played for seven seasons with the Washington Nationals.

This year, we’ve already seen Mike Dunn and Adam Ottavino lost from the mound for periods of time. Desmond started the year on the disabled list and David Dahl has yet to see the field. However, the Rockies have done quite well without them on the shelf.

The reason? Colorado’s depth that has been accrued through the farm system and free agent signings who can play multiple positions. It’s worked so far. Could it help the Rockies get through the injuries that are bound to happen as the season goes along? You bet.