Brenton Doyle activated as Rockies OF crowds ahead of deadline

Brenton Doyle is finally coming back to the bigs after spending over two months sidelined with a left oblique contusion.

Braxton Fulford has been optioned to the minros as a corresponding move.

The Colorado Rockies starting centerfielder last played in late May. He attempted a return in June, going on rehab with Triple-A Albuquerque but that was shut down after four games due to a groin issue. This time around he’s been with the Isotopes for over a week and has five hits in his last two games.

But a lot has changed since Doyle last played in purple. Cole Carrigg debuted about three weeks after Doyle went down and he’s been a mainstay for Colorado, starting 34 of his 41 games played thus far in center. The versatile rookie, who has also played shortstop for the club, is slashing .296/.373/.519 with five homers and 26 RBI. Carrigg may very well be playing better than anyone beside Hunter Goodman since his debut. The Rockies were 24-42 before Carrigg got the call and they’ve been a slightly better 18-25 since. At the very least they’ve been more fiery in the last six weeks.

Two more guys doing well in that period are Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy, both of whom can play center with McCarthy actually leading the club appearances at that position. Each of those more veteran players have been heavily rumored to be available at the trade deadline.

Meanwhile the club still has the hyper versatile speedster Tyler Freeman, who has gone back and forth between right field and second base. Expect him to play the infield more with Doyle back, though Freeman’s bat has been rough enough where he may not be a factor on the roster for long. There’s also rookie Troy Johnston, who has gotten a lot of time in the corners and youngster Jordan Beck, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue.

The Rockies were kind of forced to call up Carrigg due to his play in the minors combined with the amount of injuries the team faced in the outfield. But with the team getting healthier in the grass as started by the two-time Gold Glover Doyle, maybe the Rockies will be even more motivated to sell ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.

Related

Rockies asking price for Hunter Goodman revealedRockies fall for 14th time in last 15 games in San DiegoRockies’ four errors, bullpen woes lead to 8-7 loss in San DiegoReport: Trade value of Rockies’ Goodman could be affected by his defenseRockies open by striking out seven-straight times en route to 11-2 defeatReport: Rockies letting other teams know that several players are available at deadline