Brandon Rodgers’ education continues and Rockies manager Bud Blake is thrilled to see him.
“He’s losing focus on defense,” Black said Tuesday after the Rockies hosted the White Sox at Coors Field. “Because he wants to be a complete player. He sees himself as a potential All-Star and potential great player. To do this, you have to play both sides.
Rodgers’ latest lesson came Monday night in the Rockies’ tense, 2-0 win at Milwaukee. The second baseman mishandled a potential double-play grounder in the ninth inning, helping spark a potential Brewers rally. But instead of hanging his head, Rodgers tracked Hunter Renfrow’s blooper into shallow right field and made a tough catch. With the bases loaded, Rodgers caught Luis Urias’ sizzling live drive for the final out.
“I know he felt good about it after the game,” Black said. “As bad as he felt when he tried to rush the double-play ball, go back on Renfrew’s popup and then make that play off Urias’ line drive, he felt good. There was redemption.
“I want him to feel like, ‘Hey, I got a chance and I took full advantage of it.’ I’m proud of it.”
Rodgers’ turnaround at the plate has been remarkable. He hit .078 (4-for-51) with one double and no home runs in 14 games in April. But he entered Tuesday’s game slashing .294/.337/.472 with nine home runs, 20 doubles, two triples and 48 RBIs since May 1.
Injury news. Outfielder Kris Bryant did not play in Monday’s game at Milwaukee due to an injury and it was touch and go whether he would play Tuesday night. But Bryant was in the starting lineup, hitting third, even though he was the designated hitter, not the left fielder.
Right-hander Julius Chachin, who has been struggling, was placed on the 15-day injured list with a toe injury (sesamoiditis). Chacin’s stint at IL is retroactive to July 23.
The veteran has scored in six of his last seven outings and seven of his last nine since June 21. His 7.36 ERA is the highest among qualifying major league relievers.
Chasen’s replacement on the 26-man roster is right-hander Justin Lawrence, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and is making his fifth trip to the big league roster this season. He has fared very well with the Isotopes, allowing just one run in seven appearances since July 6, good for a 1.23 ERA while holding opponents to a .083 average.
Starting shortstop Jose Iglesias, who has been the subject of trade rumors near next Tuesday’s deadline, was out of the lineup Tuesday after fouling a ball over his left foot in Monday’s game. were gone Tests showed no broken bones in Iglesias’ foot, but Black said Iglesias is still in a lot of pain.
