Colorado Rockies injury news: Ian Desmond battling knee soreness

After an injury-filled 2017 season, Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Ian Desmond was looking for a fresh start with the franchise in 2018. However, that may already be off to a bumpy start.

Desmond left Saturday night’s 2-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks with soreness in his right knee. He was replaced in the top of the seventh inning by Ryan McMahon and is considered “day to day” with the soreness.

The Rockies had Easter Sunday off and open a four-game series in San Diego against the Padres on Monday night.

"“He’s felt it the last couple of days … when he’s in his stance, putting weight on his back knee,” Colorado manager Bud Black told reporters after the win on Saturday night. “It got a little bothersome and Ian came to me and said, ‘Buddy, it’s probably the right thing to do and let’s get Mac in there.’ He wasn’t at full strength as the game went on.”"

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The 32-year-old Desmond was expected to see a lot of time this season in the outfield … but that was before the Rockies re-signed Carlos Gonzalez during spring training. With CarGo back in the fold, Desmond shifted back to first base, a position that McMahon was expected to hold down this season. McMahon made the Opening Day roster but Desmond has started all three games so far at first base.

After a tough debut season in Colorado and spring training, Desmond started the 2018 season off strong, going 4-for-10 with a homer and a pair of RBI.

Depending on Desmond’s health, the southpaw-swinging McMahon may get his first start of the season on Monday in San Diego as the Padres will start right-hander Bryan Mitchell.

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McMahon has had three at-bats so far this season, all coming off the bench. He has struck out in all three appearances, part of a disturbing early-season trend among Colorado hitters. As a team, the Rockies have struck out 34 times in 102 at-bats. Only the Chicago Cubs (41 times in 134 at-bats) have whiffed more.

After an injury-filled 2017 season, Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Ian Desmond was looking for a fresh start with the franchise in 2018. However, that may already be off to a bumpy start.

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