Colorado Rockies: The impact of DJ LeMahieu’s return

The Colorado Rockies are reportedly expecting All-Star second baseman DJ LeMahieu to be activated off the disabled list on Tuesday in time for the Rockies to open a six-game homestand against the Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers.

LeMahieu was slashing .290/.367/.505 when he was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Monday, April 30 (retroactive to Saturday, April 28) with a right hamstring strain. His bat will be a welcome addition to a Rockies offense that has started to shake off some of the cobwebs but entered Monday’s play 26^th in Major League Baseball in batting average (.228) and tied for 18^th in runs scored (142).

Colorado’s offense this season has come primarily via the long ball as the Rockies are tied for fifth in MLB in homers (46). That includes five from LeMahieu, who is certainly on track to break his career-high mark of 11 homers set during the 2016 campaign.

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So how does LeMahieu impact the Rockies? First, it will likely mean that Daniel Castro or Pat Valaika is sent to Triple-A to make room on the active roster. Both are right-handed. Castro is hitting .188 with three RBI since being called up to replace LeMahieu while Valaika is struggling mightily, hitting just .103 in 58 at-bats. Valaika, however, could stick with the team because of his ability to play multiple positions, including the outfield. Castro has played second, shortstop and third base in his Major League career so he shows versatility as well.

Once LeMahieu is back, it will also be interesting to see if he returns to the top of the order while Charlie Blackmon slides back to the third spot. LeMahieu has led off the order in 17 of his 27 games this season (batting second in the other 10 games) so it’s likely he could return to that role.

If LeMahieu bats leadoff, the Rockies could use David Dahl in left field and in the second spot while Blackmon hits third and Nolan Arenado moves into the cleanup role. Trevor Story hitting fifth is likely while a combination of Carlos Gonzalez, Gerardo Parra, Ian Desmond, Tony Wolters and Chris Iannetta would round out the bottom three spots.

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Having LeMahieu back in the lineup strengthens and lengthens the Colorado order. With an important homestand and nine-game road trip to all three of Colorado’s California National League West rivals looming in the next two weeks, the timing couldn’t be better to have LeMahieu return to the field.