Colorado Rockies: An injury update on Brendan Rodgers

During the 5th inning of the Colorado Rockies eventual 2-1 win against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers attempted to steal second base, and partway there, he pulled up and starting limping.

The Rockies removed him from the game for precautionary reasons and while he hopped into the dugout, he later walked down the right-field training staff under his own power and without a limp or assistance. However, the Rockies announced a few innings later that he was diagnosed with a “right hamstring strain.”

Rockies manager Bud Black did not have many answers on the topic after the game as he admitted that he would “have more answers in the ensuing days.”

But just 24 hours later, Black did have an update on Rodgers after Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Texas Rangers.

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“(Rodgers is feeling) better today,” said Black. “Our training staff is encouraged so that’s a good sign. Some of the things they look for (are if) he feels it walking (and) if he feels it in certain movements and he doesn’t so that’s great so (Rockies head trainer) Keith (Dugger) and the guys are encouraged by where he is 24 hours later.”

But when asked if there was a timetable for his return, Black answered flatly: “No. No.”

While that could just be a precautionary “no,” so Black doesn’t get pigeon-holed into a timeframe and it doesn’t happen, you can take it either as good news or mixed news. But, at least, it is not bad news, at least yet.

Rodgers was slated to become the team’s everyday second baseman but if he cannot be ready for Opening Day, even just because he would be behind on getting ready if he misses time during spring training, the Rockies could choose a few different ways to go.

First off, the Rockies could decide to start Garrett Hampson at second base instead of center field and start Sam Hilliard in center field. Secondly, they could slide Ryan McMahon back over to second base and start Josh Fuentes at third base. Or, thirdly, they could start Chris Owings at the spot and keep McMahon at third base and (presumably) keep Hampson in center field.

For what it’s worth, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding updated his Opening Day roster predictions today (after Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry spoke with him about his first predictions earlier this week). He does think that Rodgers will be on the roster and he thinks that Hampson will move to second and Hilliard will start in center field. But he has Rodgers’ roster spot being taken over by a pitcher.