The Rockies‘ injury list continues to get longer.
First baseman Justin Morneau, fresh off his appearance in the Home Run Derby last week in Minneapolis, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a neck strain. The move is retroactive to July 14.
To fill Morneau’s roster spot, Ben Paulsen was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Paulsen will make his big-league debut Monday night against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Paulsen is slated to bat sixth in the lineup and play first base.
“When I found out, I didn’t know whether to cry or to shout,” Paulsen said. “I’m excited to play with these guys because I’ve gotten to know them the past two years (during spring training).”
Morneau, 33, has played in 89 games for the Rockies in his first year with the club. He strained his neck last Friday morning in Pittsburgh during an early round of batting practice. In 2011, while with the Minnesota Twins, Morneau underwent neck surgery to remove a herniated disc.
That history means the Rockies are proceeding with caution. Manager Walt Weiss said the current injury is not directly related to the neck surgery.
“Not exactly, it’s not the same spot,” Weiss said. “We are always cautious with ‘Morney’ when it comes to his neck, but it’s not exactly the same thing. … He’s had issues from time to time.”
Morneau, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million free-agent deal with the Rockies, has been one of their best players. He has hit .312 (104-for-333) with 20 RBIs, two triples, 13 home runs, 60 RBIs and 38 runs.
The Rockies are also awaiting news on outfielder/first baseman Michael Cuddyer, who’s out until at least mid-August with a fractured left shoulder socket. An MRI, scheduled to be taken Monday, was expected to reveal if the bones in his shoulder have healed. If so, Cuddyer can begin strength exercises and there is a chance he could return late this season.
If the bones have not healed yet, Cuddyer will be lost for the rest of the season. He’s in the final year of his contract with the Rockies, so it’s possible he will never play for Colorado again.
Paulsen, 26, has spent the entire season with Triple-A Colorado Springs appearing in 95 games and hitting .291 (101-for-347) with 24 doubles, six triples, 15 home runs, 57 RBIs and 62 runs. His play rewarded him as the lone Sky Sox representative in the Triple-A All-Star Game, where he went 1-for-2 with a RBI single as a defensive replacement at first base.
Also on Monday, right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens was designated for assignment by Colorado.
Jurrjens, 28, made two starts for the Rockies going 0-1 with a 10.61 ERA and nine strikeouts after being acquired on July 2 from the Cincinnati Reds. He was optioned to the minors on July 9 where he made one start on July 19 at Memphis. The Rockies were Jurrjens’ fourth MLB club after playing for the Tigers (2007), Braves (2008-12) and Orioles (2013). He has compiled a 53-38 record and a 3.72 ERA in 130 career MLB games.
