Colorado Rockies injury updates on CarGo, Hoffman, Estevez and more

The Colorado Rockies currently have four players out with injury (five if you include Nolan Arenado’s suspension). In this article, we’ll go over each player’s injury, how long they’ll be out of action, and an ETA on his return.

Carlos Gonzalez

Injury: Right Hamstring Strain Date of Injury (DOI): April 18 Return: Day-to-Day

What happened: The right fielder said he “felt something” during Wednesday’s 10-2 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It happened during his sprint and diving catch for the ball hit from Starling Marte’s bat. He did, however, play the rest of the fourth inning before getting pulled by manager Bud Black. Gerardo Parra replaced Gonzalez in right. CarGo told our own Kevin Henry about his injury after the game in Pittsburgh.

The Colorado Rockies are being extremely precautious as they wait and see how the 32-year-old feels before Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. 

How this affects the Rockies: Well, Carlos Gonzalez is the starting right fielder. So if he were to be unable to play in Friday’s home game against the Cubs then it would cause a shift in the lineup. The Rockies would most likely put Gerardo Parra in right leaving Ian Desmond to start in left field.  This then makes an issue in the infield as well. Thus leaving Ryan McMahon and Pat Valaika to play at first for Desmond. Now let’s not forget about Mike Tauchman who can play either left or right field. If they start Tauchman this gives Bud Black a few ideas defensively. Though as of now Carlos Gonzalez will most likely be out for the Friday game. There is a strong chance that Gerardo Parra will start right field with Ian Desmond in left. 

However, this is all dependent on Parra’s availability after appealing his suspension resulting from the Padres brawl. If Parra is unavailable and CarGo can’t go, the Rockies could go with Desmond and Tauchman in the outfield or call up Raimel Tapia or Noel Cuevas from Triple-A.