Colorado Rockies place Justin Morneau on 7-day DL with concussion symptoms, Rafael Ynoa recalled

The Rockies have placed Justin Morneau on the 7-day disabled list with concussion symptoms and a neck strain, according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. The Rockies recalled utility infielder Rafael Ynoa to take his place on the active roster. The Rockies optioned to Triple-A on Thursday (so says the invaluable RockiesRoster.com).

Morneau departed the game on Thursday night in the eighth inning due to dizziness. MLB.com's Thomas Harding wrote that his occurred after Morneau dove for a ball near first. Initial reports from both Harding and Saunders indicated that Tom Runnels, the Rockies acting manager until Walt Weiss returns from his appendectomy, didn't think Morneau was going to miss any time.

Morneau sat yesterday, although because it was against a left-handed starter, nobody thought much of it. The decision to move him to the concussion DL today might signify that his symptoms were a bit worse than initially thought. But the move could also just mean caution for a player whose career almost ended due to a concussion. Morneau's 2010 season was cut short due to a concussion mid-way through the season. He didn't return to form until last year. Indeed, Morneau's concussion history and the subsequent decline in performance was one of the reasons some folks were critical of the move.

Gallows humor circulates around here when it comes to injuries, but those tend to focus on ligaments and muscles. Concussions are a different matter entirely. Let's hope that all is well with Morneau.