Colorado Rockies: An update on the timetable for Daniel Murphy’s return

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black was on MLB Network Radio this morning and gave an update on Daniel Murphy and the timetable for his return.

Bud Black was a guest of MLB Network Radio’s mid-morning show “Power Alley” with Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette, as he is every Tuesday morning at 8:40 AM MT and among other things, he discussed the timetable for the return of Daniel Murphy from his fractured finger.

Black said that Murphy will be out “at least a month” with a “little fracture…of the tip of his index finger of his left hand.” He added that he’s “[n]ot sure whether there’s going to be a surgery or not.” He also said that “[t]here’s a couple different courses of action that probably lead to the same timetable. So, with Daniel, we’re going to have to be patient.”

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This is a big blow to the Rockies as Murphy was the main offseason signing for the Rockies so they will be missing a key piece of their offense for at least a month and if you’ve seen the Rockies first five games, you have seen how weak it has been, as they are only averaging a little more than three runs a game.

4 weeks from today would be April 30th and the Rockies are going to be in Milwaukee facing the Brewers so considering that it will be “at least” four weeks, a realistic return for Murphy to return will be some time in early or mid-May.

Black also said that he’ll “mix and match” Ryan McMahon, Mark Reynolds, and Pat Valaika at first base in the mean time. He specifically said that they might put Valaika at first base “at times against a left-handed starter” but McMahon “will be in the lineup most of the time” since he can be utilized at first base, second base, and third base.

You can hear part of the conversation here. Our own Kevin Henry is with the team in Tampa so stay tuned to our coverage from Tampa.