Colorado Rockies Veteran Charlie Blackmon Set to Begin Rehab Stint in Triple-A

The Colorado Rockies have sent outfielder Charlie Blackmon to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin his rehab assignment, the Isotopes announced Monday.

Blackmon hasn't played since June 10, when he suffered a fractured right hand against the San Diego Padres. He was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day, and he has missed Colorado's last 39 games as a result.

The 37-year-old Blackmon took dry swings on July 23, then had a batting practice session on July 29. After he suits up for Albuquerque on Tuesday and Wednesday, Blackmon could be activated for the Rockies' upcoming weekend series at the St. Louis Cardinals.

Before going down with the hand injury, Blackmon was hitting .265 with five home runs, 26 RBI and a .769 OPS.

Blackmon has spent his entire professional career as a member the Rockies organization, initially joining the franchise as a second round pick out of Georgia Tech in the 2008 MLB Draft. Although he made his major league debut in 2011, it took Blackmon until 2014 to become an everyday member of Colorado's lineup.

Over the next nine seasons, Blackmon appeared in 1,253 of the Rockies' 1,356 games. As franchise cornerstones Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu came and went, Blackmon remained a staple at Coors Field.

Blackmon's production has dropped off a bit in recent years, though, especially in regards to his power, speed and defense.

After hitting .306 with an .880 OPS and 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases per 162 games from 2014 to 2020, Blackmon has hit .267 with a .751 OPS and 16 homers and three stolen bases per 162 games since. The four-time All-Star has also largely stepped away from his usual spot in the outfield, spending the majority of 2023 as a designated hitter.

Still, Blackmon's bat will be welcome in the Rockies' lineup, especially with right fielder Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list himself.

Colorado is 41-64, which is the worst record in the entire National League. Only the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals have fewer wins so far this season.