Moniak (right index finger sprain) placed on 10-day injured list

MIAMI -- What was thought to be a minor pain in his right index finger during Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak’s last Cactus League appearance turned out to be a sprain that landed him on the 10-day injured list to start the season.

Moniak, who hit .270 with 24 home runs and 68 RBIs after joining the Rockies days before last year’s Opening Day, had his IL placement backdated to Tuesday -- meaning he could be activated for next Friday’s home opener against the Phillies.

The Rockies recalled catcher Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque and placed him on the 26-man Major League roster before Friday night’s opener against the Marlins. Infielder Edouard Julien replaced Moniak as designated hitter in the Opening Day lineup.

Moniak, 27, was injured while diving to first base on a pickoff attempt, after he had singled during a Spring Training game on Monday against the Tigers in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“The next day, it was sore but I was optimistic it was going to get better, but then we had the flight the next day and it blew up,” said Moniak, who added that he tested the injury in the batting cage on Thursday.

Moniak, who signed with the Rockies after being released by the Angels last spring, had his best season and emerged as a leadership figure on a young club.

“I’m excited for the team we’ve got, as far as the moves that we’ve made and the culture we created in Spring Training,” he said.

Fulford, 27, a rookie last season (.213 batting average, one homer and 16 RBIs in 38 games), and Brett Sullivan, 32, were locked in competition for the job to back up 2025 All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner Hunter Goodman. Sullivan, formerly with the Padres and Pirates, batted .410 with three homers in Spring Training. The plan was to give Fulford regular playing time at Albuquerque. But Fulford’s right-handed bat and his speed can be used late in games in this early part of the season, manager Warren Schaeffer said.