DESMOND OUT

Ian Desmond is out with a broken left hand and the Rockies are in trouble. There is no clear timetable for his outlook as of this writing, but one has to think that we’re talking months more than we’re talking weeks as he will have surgery on his second metacarpal bone. Kevin Keirmaier missed seven weeks with a similar situation last year. 

In the Rockies first game since the injury Mark Reynolds is playing first base. “Mark was a big part of this team last year. He makes a lot of sense,” manager Bud Black said. “In his absence, we will insert a player on a given day we think gives us the best chance to win,” Black said. “We will explore some options with players. We have some players who are versatile. And we’ll take advantage of that.”

Folks in the fantasy community are interested in Jordan Patterson. There is also the option of Gerardo Parra and or Stephen Cardullo.

There will be no Justin Morneau reunion.

Here are my initial thoughts without knowing how much time that Desmond will miss.

Most managers will turn to what they know when an injury like this happens, and in this case that’s Reynolds and/or Parra seeing an increase in time on the field. Reynolds was really impressive last season against righties hitting .297/.367/.498 with 12 homers in 273 at-bats. He figures to get first shot at starting at first when a righty is on the bump. Problem with the duo is that Parra posted a mere .634 OPS against lefties last season. That would seem to potentially open up some work against lefties for...

Patterson had his debut last season, 19 plate appearances, but he’s not an overly exciting lefty swinger. Coming off a season of .293-14-61 over 427 at-bats, Patterson has a nice flat swing though he’s failed to learn how to lift the ball as of yet. A stable, but boring option at the moment.

So it’s messy, there isn’t likely to be one guy surging forward to prominence either, as the team awaits the return of Desmond.

THIS AND THAT

Alex Dickerson (back) had a setback with his back and Opening Day is now in question. Just 26 years old, the hulking outfielder hit 10 bombs with five seasons last season in 84 games played. He also struck out just 44 times while posting a .788 OPS in a solid first season. Back woes though are particularly concerning, and every day he continues to suffer the outlook of Jabari Blash and Travis Jankowski improves.

Josh Donaldson (calf) is about ready to start taking at-bats out of the DH spot. There is no concern at the moment about him being ready for day one. The slugger has proven extremely durable the last four seasons appearing in at least 155 games each season. He is one of only seven men in baseball who belong in that group.

Zack Greinke worried everyone last week. I wrote a Player Profile saying don’t be worried. Monday he tossed five innings allowing one run with zero walks and seven strikeouts. No more worries?

I can’t decide if this is awesome or just flat out creepy.

Francisco Rodriguez had a scare in the WBC with his groin. Turns out all it was, cause of a tight tape job, was a cramp. So, minimal is the issue that he’s going to stay with Team Venezuela which should pacify those that were overly concerned that something major was going on. The 35 year old Rodriguez saved 44 games last season, his third in a row with at least 38. By the way, he is the only pitcher in baseball who has done that. There are some concerns though as K-Rod struck out just 8.02 batters per nine last season, the worst mark of his career, vastly off his previous worst of 9.00. He also saw his walk rate double from 2015 to 2016 (1.74 to 3.24). He offset those relative struggles with a 54.7 percent ground ball rate, the best mark of his career (only once in his career had the mark been over 47 percent prior to last season). A wily veteran who is nearing the end of the line, Francisco still has enough going for him though to make another run to 30 saves.

Some people just aren’t smart.

Max Scherzer says he will be read for the start of the 2017 season, a total reversal from what he has been saying for weeks now. He didn’t say he would be ready for Opening Day, but his declaration seems to suggest that he will be ready to go the first time through the rotation. #ProceedWithCaution

Devon Travis is set to appear in minor league action this way as he works his way back from November surgery on his knee. He hasn’t been ruled out for Opening Day, but it seems like it might be awfully close. Really like the game here, but the missing piece is health, and that’s something we can only learn about with time. Still given his current cost, I’m buying.

Corey Seager continues to miss time with a back/oblique issue. According to Seager, he has no concern about his availability for Opening Day. Do we believe him? He has been doing some light exercise work, but game action eludes him. Everyone is saying this is nothing. Let’s hope it is because concern is growing with this scribe. Sure you want to spend a second round pick on a guy who is already hurt?

Tony Zych is likely to throw batting practice this week as he attempts to return from his biceps issue. At this point it seems likely that he will open the year in the minors, but it’s still possible he could squeak his way into the majors. Keep an eye on his progress. The 26 year old righty has a massive arm that has led to 45 punchouts over 32 innings the past two seasons. Of course, he’s offset some of that grandness with a 3.66 BB/9 rate which included 10 walks in 13.2 frames last season. Fastball/slider heat is his game, and it’s a good one when he throws strikes.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 7 PM EDT, Wednesday 8 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).