Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has been one of the few bright spots for the team during a disappointing 2015 campaign, but the season hit another low point when the star left Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with an injury.
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Arenado Suffers Injury Diving for Ball
Tuesday, Sept. 22
Arenado was taken out of Tuesday’s game after trainers examined his wrist, jaw and neck. Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted the third baseman dove for a ground ball that ultimately deflected off his wrist as “he face-planted in the dirt.” Fortunately, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reported the third baseman passed concussion tests.
This is another blow for a Rockies team well out of postseason contention. Arenado sported a .283 batting average, 39 home runs and 114 RBI entering Tuesday’s game and is one of the best young stars in the league.
At 24 years old, he recently became the youngest player in franchise history to be selected to an All-Star team. It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that Arenado has drawn rave reviews from teammates all season long.
“He’s always been a great teammate and somebody who brings energy to the clubhouse and field,” second baseman DJ LeMahieu said, according to the Denver Post‘s Patrick Saunders. “He’s not afraid to make the great play, and he’s never afraid to make mistakes. He goes after it and lets his talent take over.”
A second-round pick by the Rockies in 2009, Arenado has established himself as one of MLB’s most prolific fielders since making his professional debut in 2013.
He’s gunning for his third straight Gold Glove award after capturing the hardware at the hot corner in 2013 and 2014, and any sort of extended absence could derail his chances for a three-peat.
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