Colorado Rockies already face adversity with Daniel Murphy injury

After just two games into the regular season, the Colorado Rockies already face an obstacle with Daniel Murphy’s injury. The period without the veteran should show how well the team can be without one of its more-consistent hitters.

Colorado Rockies fans envisioned it. Second baseman Daniel Murphy, who thrived in the National League East, would rake in the high altitudes of Colorado, giving the club one of the most powerful middle-infield duos in the game.

But fans will have to wait for the veteran to showcase his hitting prowess.

Murphy suffered a fractured finger in Friday’s affair against the Miami Marlins, meaning he will hit the 10-day injured list. Yet he could miss much more than the 10 days if there is tendon or ligament damage.

Rockies fans shouldn’t be surprised. When Colorado’s front office inked the infielder to his two-year, $24 million deal, they knew the 33-year-old had issues staying on the field last season. He missed 71 games in 2018, though he hit well when he was on the field.

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That’s why the move was considered a moderately high-risk, high-reward scenario. It makes sense, as few National League second basemen have hit for consistent average and power as well as Murphy has since 2014.

Murphy is a former MVP runner-up, and he has three All-Star appearances. But manager Bud Black, who has yet to see Murphy’s full potential at Coors Field, has to find alternatives until he returns.

Garrett Hampson, who has 26 games under his belt in his MLB career, could be the short-term solution. If he slots into the everyday second-base role, Ryan McMahon could see more time at first base. Pat Valaika could also get the call, as he’s been a backup infielder in the past.

Colorado doesn’t need to think long-term at this time. However, if Murphy’s injury keeps him sidelined into Mid-May, Brendan Rodgers has to be considered an option.

Rodgers remains the top prospect for the Rockies, but for contractual reasons, he will likely not be seen in an MLB game this April. Still, the budding star crushed Double-A pitching in 2018. And he would bode well with Trevor Story, another power-hitting infielder, by his side.

Hampson will get the first crack to slide into the position, but Rodgers should frequently be in the back of Black’s mind as the season progresses. If anything, the optimistic view of Murphy’s injury is that it will allow Black to determine how MLB-ready his young talent is.

Murphy will indeed return at some point for the Colorado Rockies. And in his absence, fans will get to see how well the club can respond to early-season adversity.