Colorado Rockies Charlie Blackmon Lands on DL

Charlie Blackmon has struggled so far this season. Adding injury to insult, he was placed on the 15-day DL with turf toe. Here is the fallout from the injury.

The Colorado Rockies have some of the best hitters in the league, which is why they finished seventh in home runs and fifth in RBI. This continued into this season as the team has scored 47 runs in its first eight games of the season, tied for fourth. Unfortunately, they will be doing it without their leadoff hitter, Charlie Blackmon. He was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday with turf toe. He will be out at least a couple of weeks while he recovers. So, how do you replace Blackmon?

Blackmon had his breakout season 2014, but turned it up even more last season. He played in 157 games, hitting 17 home runs, 58 RBI and .287 while stealing 43 bases. He entered this season as a bona fide fourth-round pick. However, he hasn’t played like one so far this season.

In the first eight games of the season, he five hits (.185 average) with no home runs, six runs scored, three RBI and a steal. He was benched a couple of times because a left-hander was on the mound, and came in later when he was relieved for a righty. Now, it looks like there is a reason for the early-season struggles.

He left Wednesday’s game early with a toe injury, which is why is wasn’t in Thursday’s lineup. He injured the toe diving back to second base. Charlie Blackmon has a history of turf toe, so fantasy players that own Blackmon should keep an eye on this. He was then placed on the 15-day DL.

As a result, the Rockies outfield will shift a bit. Most likely, Gerardo Parra will take over center field duties and Ben Paulsen will move over to left field. Mark Reynolds will move up the depth chart as the first baseman. Parra is owned in 56 percent of ESPN league, so pick him up if you can.

Another outfielder to add in place of Charlie Blackmon is St. Louis Cardinals Jeremy Hazelbaker (46 percent owned). If you don’t want to take the risk on a 28-year-old “rookie” then Colby Rasmus (52 percent) is available, too. Both of these men should be viable replacements for the next two weeks.

Next: Glen Perkins Placed on 15-Day DL

While no one on the waiver wire is the player Charlie Blackmon is, there is a player or two available that has been producing better than Blackmon this season. Hopefully this injury won’t be longer than two weeks, so this isn’t a season-ending injury for your team.