Colorado Rockies: Path being paved for return of Brendan Rodgers

Colorado Rockies fans, Brendan Rodgers appears to be extremely close to rejoining the team and making his 2021 season debut.

After an off day on Thursday, the Colorado Rockies return home to open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It seems to be setting up for Rodgers to finally take the field after suffering a hamstring injury on a stolen base attempt during a spring training game in mid-March.

“He’s getting really close,” Colorado manager Bud Black told reporters, including Rox Pile, on Wednesday. “We’re going through that process of discussing Brendan as we speak. There’s a good chance he could join us. I can’t say definite.“We’ll have a decision for you obviously in 24 or 48 hours on that.”

That timeline, of course, would put a decision on Rodgers coming today (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday), which marks the start of the Arizona series.

So could a roster move open the door for Brendan Rodgers to return to the Colorado Rockies?

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Following Colorado’s series-ending loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, the Rockies announced that the team had optioned infielder Alan Trejo to Triple-A Albuquerque. No corresponding move was announced, meaning the Rockies have an open spot on the active roster. With an infielder being sent down, the logical thought is that this would be a hole easily filled by Rodgers.

The 24-year-old Rodgers was the third overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft, but, because of injuries and inconsistencies at the plate, has totaled just 97 career at-bats since making his Rockies debut on May 17, 2019. However, Rodgers was penciled in to be the team’s 2021 Opening Day starter at second base before his injury.

Rodgers has performed well in his rehab stint at Triple-A, going 7-for-15 at the plate in his first five games with the Isotopes.

His return will likely shift Ryan McMahon back to third base and create a primary infield of McMahon, Trevor Story (shortstop), Rodgers, and C.J. Cron (first base). This could mean less playing time for Josh Fuentes and Connor Joe, as well as more time for Garrett Hampson in the outfield.

In his limited time with the Rockies, Rodgers is slashing .196/.235/.227 and has just three extra-base hits, all doubles.