Colorado Rockies injury news: Nolan Arenado discusses outlook

MIAMI, FL - JULY 10: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies and the National League speaks with the media during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day ahead of the 88th MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 10: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies and the National League speaks with the media during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day ahead of the 88th MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Nolan Arenado stood by his locker inside the visiting clubhouse at Marlins Park with his left hand heavily bandaged, but relieved after quite a scare in the midst of the Colorado Rockies5-3 loss on Sunday afternoon to Miami.

Arenado was hit in the left hand in the top of the fifth inning by Miami starter Vance Worley and immediately left the game. It was a scary moment for Arenado, Colorado manager Bud Black and Rockies fans.

However, X-rays revealed that the All-Star third baseman has a contusion and no broken bones, dodging a major injury bullet that could have not only halted his season for an extended period of time but also dealt a blow to Colorado’s aspirations of securing a postseason berth.

Arenado told Rox Pile and other media members after the game that he had been hit in the hand by pitches before. However, the one on Sunday felt different, causing him to worry about its severity.

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“It hurt pretty bad and it got really tight,” Arenado said. “That was my concern, how tight it was getting. Most times, when you break, muscles get super tight. That’s what I was assuming but luckily it isn’t broken.“It’s going to take some time. I don’t how many days. Hopefully a couple but it hurts pretty bad right now. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll feel better.”

Arenado said the area, on his left hand between his wrist and pinkie, was swollen.

Will the injury require a trip to the disabled list? Arenado and team officials are hopeful that won’t be the case.

“It’s puffed up a little bit and it’s hard to move my pinkie right now,” Arenado said. “Hopefully the next couple of days I can start gripping a bat or something.”

Black said when Arenado was first hit, he was worried it could be serious.

“Any time you get hit up there, and we saw it spring training with Ian (Desmond). He had the broken hand and (Tom) Murphy got hit with the bat in spring training so you’re always concerned for sure,” Black said. “Nolan’s reaction right away was, players instinctively know that this could be trouble. That’s why I think you saw his path sort of lead him right to the dugout. That sort of told me how he felt. A lot of times guys will drop the bat and go to first. That told me that this was a pretty direct hit. That we might have some trouble.”

Next: The latest injury news on two Colorado starting pitchers

Black said, in the long run, the news of a contusion was “great news” for Arenado and the Rockies.