The Colorado Rockies are set to activate first baseman Ian Desmond off the disabled list. Desmond, 31, signed a five-year, $70-million-dollar contract with the Rockies this past offseason to add punch to the lineup at first base. On Sunday, Desmond confirmed that he is indeed ready for action this season.
https://twitter.com/IDesmond20/status/858741073765474304
Desmond missed the first 25 games of the 2017 campaign due to broken left hand but is now set to join a red-hot Rockies team.
While Desmond is expected to play first base, the Rockies may have a hard time justifying the move to corner infield position at this point.
Colorado re-signed veteran Mark Reynolds to a minor-league contract this summer, and in light of Desmond’s injury, Reynolds has excelled for the Rockies. In 90 at-bats this season, Reynolds is hitting .311 with 23 RBI’s and nine homeruns. Reynolds’ bat carried the Rockies through the initial stages of the season and has since become a catalyst for the offense.
That said, the return of Desmond will only help the squad as he will be joining the surging 16-9 Rockies who currently are the leaders of the National League West. Desmond’s versatility both at the plate and in the field will only give more options to manager Bud Black on how he wants to comprise his squad a nightly basis.
Desmond’s return has been long-awaited, as the career .263 hitter is a critical factor that will determine where Colorado sits in the standings come season’s end.