Colorado Rockies: Injury updates on Blackmon, Cron, Nuñez, Bowden

The Colorado Rockies have had a slew of injuries in recent weeks so before Monday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres, Rockies manager Bud Black updated the media, including Rox Pile, of the updates he had.

Outfielder Charlie Blackmon (mild groin strain) is day-to-day and Black said that his availability would be determined around game time. He is not in the starting lineup on Monday but he may return to it on Tuesday.

First baseman C.J. Cron (strained lower back) is very close to being activated off the IL. In fact, they thought about activating him before Monday’s game but Black said that they wanted to keep more bullpen reinforcements for tonight (since the Rockies bullpen was used a lot this past weekend) so they decided to give Cron a little bit more time.

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He may be activated off the IL as soon as tomorrow.

Bud Black informed the media of another injury that wasn’t known of before today, though. Catcher Dom Nuñez is also dealing with “a little bit of a leg issue” and so they are going to “keep an eye” on him.

Infielder Alan Trejo is the only player that is on the bench that will definitely be available on Monday to play in the field. As a result, Black said that pitchers Germán Márquez and Austin Gomber will both be available to pinch-hit on Monday.

As for left-handed reliever Ben Bowden, he was placed on the IL this weekend with a strained shoulder. Bud Black said that he didn’t have an update yet but he did say that he would know more in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Bowden did not travel with the team to San Diego, which would indicate that, at bare minimum, he will not be throwing for the next few days.

The Rockies currently have nine players on the injured list and with Blackmon and Nuñez, two others that are day-to-day or currently being monitored for injuries that may make them day-to-day.