PHOENIX -- A Rockies lineup that has struggled to score runs recently went into Saturday night without a player who has been productive of late -- Willi Castro, who was scratched before first pitch because of low back tightness.
Castro said a couple of dives to the bag on pickoff moves and diving attempts in the infield during Friday’s 3-2 victory over Arizona led to pain that ultimately forced him from Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.
“When I was swinging, it was bothering me on the rotation, so that’s when I decided to tell the guys that I didn’t feel comfortable playing,” Castro said. “I don’t think it’s going to be injured list, for sure. I feel way better now … probably two or three days.”
Castro, 8-for-24 (.333) in his last eight games entering Saturday, took grounders at Chase Field before the Rockies announced that he was out of the lineup. His removal came a day after the Rockies placed one of their better hitters this season, outfielder Mickey Moniak, on the 10-day injured list with right ankle tendinitis.
Against Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen, the Rockies planned to use Castro in the cleanup spot in the lineup.
The offense has scuffled in May as the team has gone 6-15, with four losses by two runs and three others by one. The Rockies also entered Saturday without a home run in a franchise-record-tying seven straight games, but the drought ended with TJ Rumfield's eighth-inning home run off Brandon Pfaadt.