Rockies’ Nolan Arenado out at least 4-6 weeks with broken finger
A loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night also turned into an extended loss of third baseman Nolan Arenado for the Colorado Rockies.
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Arenado fractured his left middle finger while sliding head-first into second base on Friday night, and could be out for an extended period of time, according to a report via Vavel.com.
“We don’t know if he’ll have surgery,” Rockies trainer Keith Dugger said after the game. “If it’s non-operative, we will splint it and he’s out four to six weeks.”
The Rockies can only hope that the finger will not require surgery, as Arenado has been one of their most productive hitters this season, and looked to be on his way to a possible All-Star appearance.
Arenado, hitting.305 with 6 HR and 28 RBI, already set a club record with his 28-game hitting streak earlier this season, and he leads all third baseman with 23 extra base hits.
“Guys are going to get hurt. You have to deal with injuries,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “Guys will step up like they have been. We’ve dealt with our share already and it’s another one, but our guys will step up.”
So who exactly will step up in the absence of Arenado?
Speculation is that DJ LeMahieu will be moved from second base to take over duties at third, while Josh Rutledge — who was removed from the third inning of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Friday after Arenado’s injury — is expected to be called up to replace LeMahieu at second.
Tough break for the Rockies and Arenado.