Rockies Briefs DAHL FINALLY ON PATH TO RETURN
PHOENIX» If patience is a virtue, than David Dahl is a saint.
The Rockies’ talented, young outfielder has been out since the second Cactus League game of spring training with stress reaction of the sixth rib. He has come close to returning a number of times, only to have the injury flare back up.
Now, finally, Dahl is making steady progress, though there is no specific timetable for his return.
He began hitting off a tee Thursday and he’s feeling no discomfort in the spot where the rib wraps around his back. He has stayed in shape while getting treatment at the Rockies’ facility in nearby Scottsdale, Ariz.
“I haven’t felt any pain in a month,” he said. “That’s really encouraging. I feel like my time is coming. I feel good and I’ve been doing a lot of rotational work. Hopefully this continues to go well.”
Dahl, 23, never thought the injury would take this long to heal.
“I found out that when you have a stress (reaction) it can take a while,” he said. “You have to be patient, even though it’s tough. That’s the only way.”
In 2015, while playing in Double-A, Dahl suffered a violent outfield collision that resulted in a ruptured spleen. He underwent surgery to have his spleen removed and played in only 73 games that season.
“I tell myself that I’m getting all of my injuries out of the way now, when I’m younger,” Dahl said. “I mean, it stinks but you have to deal with it.”
Dahl hit .315 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 63 games as a rookie last season and went into spring training to compete with Gerardo Parra for the starting job in left field. Parra is currently on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps.
“It’s very difficult not being with the team,” Dahl said. “But I watch every game and I cheer them on. It’s been tough, but I’ve gotten through it and I’m ready to take those next steps.”
Manager Bud Black said Saturday that injured second baseman DJ LeMahieu is “closer than you think” in returning to the starting lineup. That means LeMahieu is likely to be back in the starting lineup Sunday.
LeMahieu strained his right groin during Tuesday night’s game at San Francisco. The Rockies never thought he would have to go on the disabled list.
Left-handed starter Tyler Anderson, out with a left knee injury, will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday in Denver. The Rockies had previously said that Anderson would have the procedure Friday.
Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (strained right shoulder) is scheduled to come off the DL on Monday. He doesn’t expect to have to play in any minor-league rehab games. … Black turned 60 years old Friday and center fielder Charlie Blackmon celebrated his 31st birthday Saturday.