Colorado Rockies: Chris Iannetta reportedly OK after injury scare

By Kevin Henry |

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 4: Chris Iannetta #20 of the Colorado Rockies throws out Ross Detwiler #48 of the Washington Nationals for the second out in the second inning at Coors Field on August 4, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

SCOTTSDALE — The Colorado Rockies may well have dodged a bullet on Wednesday afternoon in their game against the Texas Rangers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

In the third inning during his at-bat, starting catcher Chris Iannetta was hit on the hand by Texas starter Clayton Blackburn. The 34-year-old Iannetta, the only position player signed by the Rockies in the offseason, immediately winced and trotted to first base. He was met there by Colorado manager Bud Black and head trainer Keith Duggar.

After a short examination, Iannetta stayed in the game and ran the bases the rest of the inning. He was lifted in the top of the fourth for Jan Vazquez behind the plate.

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He was reportedly seen in the dugout laughing before leaving with his bag and heading into the clubhouse. Iannetta had already left the clubhouse by the time media was allowed in. However, Black said after the game that he had not heard anything that would raise alarm.

“I’ll let you know when I get in there (clubhouse) but I haven’t heard anything so that’s a good thing,” Black told Rox Pile and other reporters after the win over the Rangers.

Rockies fans remember the injuries that happened during last spring training, including Ian Desmond being hit in the hand by a pitch that forced him to miss Opening Day and not appear in his first game in Colorado uniform until April 30.

Colorado fans also remember last season when Nolan Arenado was hit in the hand by a pitch during a regular-season game in Miami in August. However, after looking like potentially an injury that would force the All-Star third baseman out of the lineup, Arenado returned in a pinch-hit role one night later.

Next: What Jeff Hoffman's injury might mean for him and the Rockies

Iannetta is expected to share time behind the dish this season with Tony Wolters and/or Tom Murphy as one of the more interesting and intriguing battles of spring training.

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