Michael Cuddyer placed on disabled list with injured shoulder
By Hayden Kane
![Apr 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Cuddyer (3) fields a ground ball during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Coors Field. The Rockies won 10-4. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports Apr 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Cuddyer (3) fields a ground ball during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Coors Field. The Rockies won 10-4. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3cdda77a3d1a071d53055dc09ba901dec4f9171b3245c26571d7ba31b8f97d94.jpg)
Michael Cuddyer is not a third baseman. Unfortunately for the Colorado Rockies, an injury to their regular man at the hot corner, Nolan Arenado, has forced Cuddyer into spot duty at the spot.
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So it was that the Rockies lost their right fielder because he dove for a grounder while playing third base. On Monday the Rockies announced that Cuddyer had been placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured left shoulder (according to the Denver Post). This is already the second stint on the DL for Cuddyer, who missed time previously with an injured hamstring.
The Rockies PR passes along the official move with Cuddyer, which also involves one of Colorado’s top pitching prospects in Eddie Butler:
#Rockies transactions: Michael Cuddyer (left shoulder strain), Eddie Butler (right rotator cuff inflammation) placed on 15-day DL
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) June 9, 2014
Because of a crowded situation in their outfield thanks to emergence of young studs like Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson, the Rockies were able to shift Cuddyer around to a few different spots on defense. The veteran looked quite comfortable in any games at first base, but he looked lost at third. The hustle on the diving play in question was appreciated, but the outcome only magnified the fact that Cuddy was out of place at third.
This news comes on the same day that the Rockies learned that Carlos Gonzalez will have surgery on his left finger. What was once a big three of studs in Colorado is now just down to one in shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.