Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez activated from disabled list, DJ LeMahieu place on DL

Hopes that the Rockies’ worst in baseball offense was going to get a boost with the return of DJ LeMahieu just took a hit. The Rockies have placed LeMahieu, who missed the majority of the Miami series with a hamstring injury, on the disabled list. LeMahieu was one of only four regular starters on the Rockies producing above average offensively. Carlos González is taking his place on the roster after his own stint on the 10-day DL.

González was placed on the DL on April 22 retroactive to the 19th with a right hamstring strain. LeMahieu’s placement on the DL is for a very similar right hamstring injury and the initial reports appear that’ll likely be activated as soon as he is eligible. Due to the DL placement being retroactive to Saturday, LeMahieu will be eligible to return on May 8.

While Cargo’s production has been better than all of the other outfield options not named Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl, his 69 wRC+ will still well short of replacing LeMahieu in the lineup. An additional complicating factor is that he will be the sixth outfielder on the roster, which almost surely guarantees that Desmond, with his pitcher-like 46 wRC+, will be starting most days at first base. If Desmond and Parra continue to play as much as they have been, the Rockies lineup will have only three regulars with a wRC+ higher than 63.

As a long-time Rockies fan, it’s always nice to see CarGo in a Rockies uniform. Sadly, his return probably won’t fix the Rockies offense. The loss of LeMahieu will hurt it far more than González will help it.