2:30pm: Dahl has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his sixth rib, the Rockies announced. The injury will be reevaluated in two weeks, which certainly doesn’t bode well for Dahl’s early-season availability.
12:05pm: Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post has a full column on the matter with quotes from Black. To this point, Dahl has undergone multiple tests, but the source of the pain in his upper back remains undetermined. Black emphasized that the team is not anticipating this to be an injury that sidelines Dahl for months. The manager also expressed optimism that Dahl will appear in a game this spring but shied away from putting a specific target date.
11:35am: Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters today that outfielder David Dahl, who has been sidelined by an upper back injury recently, should return to baseball activities and possibly even a game setting before the end of Spring Training (Twitter links via MLB.com’s Thomas Harding).
The fact that the end of Spring Training is viewed as a “possible” target for a return to the playing field for Dahl casts some fairly significant doubt on the soon-to-be 23-year-old’s availability for Opening Day. Black added that Dahl would receive further testing today, and Harding notes that a further update on his condition is expected at some point today.
This past season, Dahl, a former first-round pick and longtime top prospect, returned from a frightening injury in which he suffered a lacerated spleen and a concussion in a disastrous outfield collision with then-teammate Juan Ciriaco. (Dahl would undergo an emergency splenectomy following the collision.) Not only was Dahl able to suit up and take the field, though, he thrived as he laid waste to pitching in Double-A, Triple-A and even the Major Leagues. In a 63-game sample that saw Dahl rack up 237 plate appearances, the outfielder slashed .315/.359/.500 with seven homers, 12 doubles, four triples and five steals.
Dahl was poised to enter the season in line for significant playing time on the heels of that electric rookie showing, but presumptive fourth outfielder Gerardo Parra now seems likely to have a larger role early in the year. If Dahl is indeed on the disabled list to open the season, that could also improve the odds of a non-roster invitee like Chris Denorfia making the club. Rounding out the Colorado outfield are center fielder Charlie Blackmon and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez. And, of course, first baseman Ian Desmond can handle some outfield work, if needed, after spending the entire 2016 campaign as an outfielder with the Rangers.
While the Rockies possess plenty of outfield depth, the potential loss of Dahl for a portion of the regular season is nonetheless a significant blow. While Dahl’s .404 batting average on balls in play last season unquestionably hints at some regression, his blend of power, speed and potentially above-average defense in left field is a highly appealing all-around package. And while Parra has delivered numerous high-quality seasons in the past, his first year in a Rockies uniform was a disaster; the former D-backs outfielder batted just .253/.271/.399 and drew, at best, average marks for his glovework in the outfield.
Hope Dahl gets better soon. He was exciting to watch last year and it was great to see him be able to succeed at the highest level after all of the adversity he dealt with in the minors. His future in the MLB appears very bright.. (He was also a great add to my fantasy team down the stretch)
Give Tapia the chance!!!
Really wish they’d trade him already, there’s no way he’s breaking in on the Rockies, he’s completely blocked and will only get a chance if there’s injuries, he deserves to be an everyday guy somewhere though.
They should hang on to Tapia. CarGo is a FA after this year and could leave (I know he’s been linked to a possible extension) or they could end up moving Blackmon if someone meets their asking price. Tapia would be the next guy up. Unfortunately they’re stuck with Parra until his contract is up
He played full-time the last half of the season. Not blocked at all. Slated to start if healthy.
Tapia is not blocked. Currently, yes. But the likelihood that both Cargo and Blackmon are on the club in ’18 is slim. Additionally, I am starting to fear that Dahl is simply going to be one of those players who has a hard time staying healthy. As far as trading Tapia, I think his value to Colorado is much greater than the what he is perceived by the talent community. They need to see this through with him.
Could have been a lot worse. This injury will take time, but once it heals, there shouldn’t be any lingering effects.
No spleen, probably get the rib removed too….this poor guy’s going to have nothing left inside of him by the time he’s done with baseball!
This is why I don’t think the Desmond signing was as crazy as most do. If any of the Rockies starters goes down like AJ Pollock it won’t end their season.
They should have grabbed Carter when they had the chance.
I’d say grab Pedro Alvarez but….their bench would have to be pretty bad.
I’m with you. I think the Desmond signing was great. I hate reading about how a 1B has to hit tons of homers, or athleticism is wasted blah blah blah. They’ve got story, cargo, Arenado, and Desmond isn’t a slouch power wise. Just because it’s the norm doesn’t mean it’s right. They aren’t all David Ortiz.
Not to mention most teams have someone hurt through much of the year. Just move Desmond to whatever spot they need him.
Unfortunate as Dahl has loads of potential. He sounds like a good candidate to open the season on the DL. Another opportunity for Parra to step up. I’m thinking Cargo is no longer trade bait. The Rox are deep in the OF.