Colorado Rockies: Ezequiel Tovar debut pushed to Padres series

It looks like Colorado Rockies fans will have to wait just a little longer to see Ezequiel Tovar at Coors Field.

Colorado Rockies prospect Ezequiel Tovar was not on the lineup card for Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants

Rumored to be activated for Thursday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants, Tovar was not on the Colorado Rockies lineup card for the matinee game at 20th and Blake. Colorado’s second-ranked prospect was reportedly flying to Denver and would not make it in time for the lineups to be announced and game to begin, pushing his debut in the clubhouse to Friday.

Colorado is set to open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Coors Field, marking the last home games of the season. The Padres, battling to keep their current fifth seed in the National League Wild Card standings, are 7-9 overall this season against Colorado, including just 1-6 in Denver.

Alan Trejo once again drew the start at shortstop for Colorado on Thursday, the position that could well become Tovar’s in time for the 2023 campaign. However, while Tovar will see time at shortstop, don’t expect Trejo to see his role diminished. In fact, according to a tweet from Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette, the Rockies will look to keep Trejo around and have him pick up reps in the outfield as next season draws near.

Trejo has been filling in for injured starting shortstop José Iglesias, who suffered a hand contusion earlier in the month and was placed on the injured list. The 32-year-old Iglesias was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason and could well see his short time in Denver come to an end with the ascension of Tovar, provided the prospect is able to make the jump to MLB as many expect him to do.

Iglesias has been hitting and fielding, but a timetable for his return remains unclear.

Once Tovar is activated, the Rockies will need to make a corresponding roster move.

UPDATE: Tovar has been activated in time for Thursday’s game while Brendan Rodgers has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain (retroactive to September 19).