Before he could generate momentum in his first season with Colorado, Rockies first baseman Daniel Murphy suffered an avulsion fracture of his left index finger and is sidelined indefinitely.
Murphy was injured during an awkward defensive play in the fourth inning Friday and is scheduled to visit Dr. Donald Sheridan, a hand specialist in Scottsdale, Ariz. Colorado did not make a roster move prior to its 3-0 loss at Miami on Sunday.
The Rockies will hope for good news on Murphy as they continue their season-opening road trip on Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla., against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mark Reynolds and Ryan McMahon will share duties at first base in lieu of Murphy, who signed a two-year, $24 million deal as a free agent this offseason.
“It was sore,” Murphy told MLB.com. “I was able to finish the game and take some at-bats. I came in (Sunday), got an X-ray of it and I think it ended up being, from what I understand, what we were hoping it wasn’t. There were two ways it could have gone, and it looked like it went the way we were hoping it wouldn’t.
“When I’m back in the lineup, I’m healthy. That’s usually the way that I do it. I think there’s too much unknown as you head into this as you have with any injury. As good as our training staff is, as good as our coaching staff and front office are, when they put me in the lineup I’ll be ready.”
Right-hander Chad Bettis will make his season debut for the Rockies on Monday. Bettis (5-2 with a 5.01 ERA over 27 games including 20 starts in 2018) has yet to face the Rays.
Bettis is 5-6 with a 7.20 ERA over 16 career interleague appearances (12 starts). In his lone appearance against the American League last season, he allowed five earned runs on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings while earning the decision in a 9-5 victory over the Texas Rangers in Arlington on June 15.
Right-hander Ryne Stanek will make his first start of the season for the Rays when they host the Rockies at Tropicana Field. Stanek recorded 29 starts last season for Tampa Bay serving in the opener role and totaled 59 appearances overall, going 2-3 with a 2.98 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 66 1/3 innings.
Stanek, who also finished 10 games for the Rays in 2018, worked two scoreless innings against Houston on Saturday, issuing one walk. Monday will mark his first career appearances against Colorado.
The Rays have infield injury concerns of their own, losing second baseman Joey Wendle to a left hamstring injury in the sixth inning of their 3-1 win over the Astros on Sunday. Tampa Bay is also without infielder Matt Duffy, who could miss up to six weeks with back and hamstring issues.
Wendle doesn’t anticipate an extended absence. He was scheduled to undergo testing.
“My gut tells me no,” Wendle said to MLB.com. “Definitely not a situation that I wanted to hurt it any further. But I’m going to get an MRI and we’ll know more (Sunday) evening.”
Daniel Robertson and Brandon Lowe, who replaced Wendle following his departure, are in line to receive additional at-bats.