Colorado Rockies injury news: Gerardo Parra’s injury slow to heal

It sounds like Ian Desmond may be patrolling left field for the Colorado Rockies a little longer than perhaps was expected earlier this month.

Prior to Tuesday night’s road game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado manager Bud Black told the media that Gerardo Parra’s strained quad may keep him out of action longer than originally expected.

Parra was originally injured in a game against the Cleveland Indians at Coors Field on June 6, pulling up before reaching second base on a steal attempt. Diagnosed with a strained quad, Parra was put on the 10-day disabled list the next day.

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At the time of his injury, Parra was hitting .318 with six homers and 28 RBI. He had swatted .571 in the month of June before pulling up on the steal attempt, including a 2-for-2 performance that night against the Indians.

Parra’s hot streak had earned him more playing time in left field, setting up a rotation between him and Desmond in left field while Desmond and Mark Reynolds were interchangeable at first base. With Parra out of the lineup, Desmond will continue to see the bulk of playing time in left while Reynolds will continue to hold down first base.

Desmond’s versatility is paying off for the Rockies with Parra’s injury. Signed in the offseason to fill a need for Colorado at first base after playing outfield in an All-Star season with the Texas Rangers in 2016, Desmond has seen action in 31 games in left field while just 11 games at first base.

Left field has been a bit of a Bermuda’s Triangle for the Rockies this season. Desmond was sidelined with a fractured left hand in spring training that caused him to not make his Rockies debut until April 30. David Dahl, who took over left field last season after his callup in July, has not seen action yet this season as he tries to recover from a rib injury.

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Dahl’s recovery has been slower than expected as well, giving him another link with Parra in Colorado’s 2017 left field injury club.