Colorado Rockies injury news: Yonathan Daza nearing return?

Yonathan Daza could be nearing a return to the Colorado Rockies lineup after suffering a left shoulder dislocation during a play in the outfield on August 11 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 28-year-old outfielder was placed on the injured list by the Colorado Rockies the next day, putting a temporary halt to a season that has seen him slash .278/.327/.343 with 16 extra-base hits (including 14 doubles) and 24 RBI. That halt may be coming to an end, however, as Daza has “looked like Daza,” in his first rehab action, according to Rockies manager Bud Black.

When could Yonathan Daza return to the Colorado Rockies lineup?

Sent on a rehab assignment to begin the month of September, Daza certainly made his presence felt for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on Thursday night, going 3-for-4 with an RBI in a road game at Sugar Land (the Triple-A affiliate for the Houston Astros). On Friday night, Sugar Land pitching held Daza to an 0-for-4 performance, but it was another night of getting at-bats and getting prepared for a return to the MLB roster.

“[Albuquerque manager Warren Schaeffer] got back to us this morning and said Daza looked like Daza,” Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters in Cincinnati on Friday as Colorado opened a three-game series against the Reds to wrap up a 10-game, three-city road trip. “That’s a good thing — when a player looks normal in the eyes of a manager who’s seen him over the years.”

Daza’s return will mean a roster move will need to be made to open a spot for him. Sean Bouchard, Randal Grichuk, and Michael Toglia received most of the outfield reps during a three-game series in Atlanta and the series opener in Cincinnati, with Charlie Blackmon primarily serving as the team’s DH.

Colorado returns home to open a homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks with a Labor Day matinee against the Brewers. If all goes according to plans, it won’t be a surprise to see Daza rejoin the Rockies early in the homestand.