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

By Olivia Greene |
DENVER - JUNE 30: General view of Coors Field front entrance as the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Colorado Rockies in the National League game at Coors Field on June 30, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 8-7 in 12 innings. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER - JUNE 30: General view of Coors Field front entrance as the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Colorado Rockies in the National League game at Coors Field on June 30, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 8-7 in 12 innings. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
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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

DENVER, CO – APRIL 09: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a 2 RBI home run in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on April 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 09: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a 2 RBI home run in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on April 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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.

Jeff Hoffman

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 6: Relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman #34 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 6, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 6: Relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman #34 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 6, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Injury: Shoulder DOI: March 4 Return: Late April-Early May

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What happened: Jeff Hoffman was already predicted to be sitting on the DL as the regular season started. He’s been out ever since March due to shoulder soreness and has yet to be able to pitch in the regular season. Kyle Freeland is currently working as Colorado’s fifth starter.

There currently isn’t an official schedule for when Hoffman might be ready to return to Colorado. He did start his rehab earlier last week and was able to pitch three innings in High-A Lancaster and 3.1 more at Triple-A Albuquerque. He will need to pick up his pitch count before he returns. With that being said, it is very likely they are keeping on eye on Hoffman to see if any shoulder soreness returns during these rehab stints. 

How this affects the Rockies: Hoffman perhaps would’ve entered the season holding the fifth rotation spot. Now he’ll likely bounce between bullpen and spot starter when he returns to the Rockies. There is a strong chance that he may have to spend some more time in Triple-A Albuquerque before his role is finalized in Denver. He was a top pitching prospect for the Rockies and hopefully can remain that way as he rehabilitates to make another go in the majors. He’s only 25 so he’ll probably be able to bounce back and get back to his normal pitching soon.

He looked solid in Thursday night’s outing…

And here’s the latest…

Zac Rosscup

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: Zac Rosscup
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: Zac Rosscup /

Injury: Finger DOI: March 29 Return: TBD

What happened: Zac Rosscup suffered a finger injury back in late March. It appeared that he had gotten warts on his left middle finger. He was given injections to lessen the pain. However, Rosscup may now need surgery to remove the warts from his hand. If this does happen, Rosscup will most likely have to miss more time and stay on the Rockies DL. That leads to the question marks surrounding his return date as now we truly don’t know what Zac Rosscup’s ETA will be. 

How this affects the Rockies: Zac Rosscup would’ve most likely taken up the eighth and final bullpen spot had he not been injured. This would have been a major deal as he was coming off a very good September last season. He struck out five batters in the six scoreless appearances he had. Whenever Rosscup does get back, it may be questionable if he’ll be put on the MLB roster. At the rate the super bullpen is going, he may not have a spot and might have to spend time down in Triple-A. 

Carlos Estevez

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 6: Relief pitcher Carlos Estevez #54 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 6, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 6: Relief pitcher Carlos Estevez #54 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 6, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Injury: Left Oblique DOI: February 25 Return: Mid-Late May

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What happened: Here’s yet another Spring Training injury that hasn’t healed. Back in February, Estevez “tweaked” his left oblique and was projected to be out for five to seven days. Everything appeared to be going good in his recovery, but Estevez then landed on the 10-day DL after suffering a setback.

Estevez did start his rehab work and did a pretty good job as well. He has pitched in four games covering 3.2 innings in Triple-A Albuquerque. He has struck out four but has a 4.91 ERA. 

How this affects the Rockies: Carlos Estevez would have been one of the eight bullpen pitchers. He’ll probably get in a few more pitching appearances before the Rockies consider bringing him back to Denver. Even when he does return, he will have to replace someone in Colorado’s bullpen. It may take an injury in the bullpen for Estevez to finally get back to Denver. 

Nolan Arenado

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies follows the ball against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies follows the ball against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Injury: Suspension DOI: April 14 Return: April 20

What happened: I know he’s not injured, but it sure feels like it. I think we all know what happened, but I’ll give a quick recap. San Diego Padres pitcher Luis Perdomo threw behind his back as tensions between the Padres and Rockies were building. Nolan then promptly charged the mound and threw a punch, leading to a suspension. He did appeal the five-game suspension but decided to drop it and go ahead and serve the five games.

Since Arenado can’t be with the Rockies during his suspension, he’s been working out and taking his swings at Colorado’s spring training facility in Scottsdale, Ariz.

How this affects the Rockies: It’s Nolan Arenado we’re talking about! Colorado won three of the five games without Nolan in the lineup in Washington and Pittsburgh, so there’s the silver lining. Ryan McMahon started at third in some of the games as well so there’s a positive as well.

Next: What changes in lineup construction could we see with Nolan back?

The offense will certainly improve with Nolan back in the lineup … and we all miss the incredible defensive plays he makes. Nolan will be back in the lineup against the Chicago Cubs when the series opens on Friday at Coors Field.

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