DENVER -- Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon is ramping up activities but will not be ready to return from his right calf stain when eligible for Tuesday’s game against the Cubs.
Blackmon hit, did fielding and throwing drills as well as some running on grass at Coors Field on Sunday. But he has yet to do truly explosive bursts, and has not worked out in baseball spikes. Blackmon was batting .300 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs from the leadoff spot and had reached base in 28 of 30 games before going on the 10-day injured list.
“The calf is an explosive muscle, so doing stuff out here [before a game] is a long way from being able to explode in a game, at the big league level, with confidence, without thinking about it,” Blackmon said. “So I think there’s maybe just a little bit of extra time we need to give there.”
Blackmon said he is not sure if he will do a Minor League rehab assignment, or if it will be enough to face closer Wade Davis in a bullpen or simulated game coming up in a few days. Davis is returning from a left oblique strain. Blackmon said there will be discussions with the training staff.
Hampson returns
Right-handed hitting utility man Garrett Hampson was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque, and righty relief pitcher Jesus Tinoco was optioned back after one appearance (no runs, one hit, two strikeouts). Hampson made the Opening Day roster but was optioned May 12 with a .194 batting average.
Hampson, a middle infielder by trade who can move to the outfield -- and started in center field on Sunday -- was needed in part because the team is down to three outfielders. After the option, Hampson batted .327 with one home run, six doubles, one triple and four stolen bases at Albuquerque. In Sunday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays, he went 0-for-3 with a walk and five putouts.
One of the club‘s top prospects before graduating from such lists, Hampson, 25, is valued for his speed and versatility, and the Rockies expect him to become a key part of the future despite his rough 2019 start.
“He’s been doing great, playing his game, which is what I like -- the hit-and-run, the bunt, hitting the ball to all fields, moving around the diamond, playing defense very well,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “The reports have been very good.”
Lambert on the radar
The Rockies still have just four starters, but could be considering having right-hander Peter Lambert -- the No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline -- make his Major League debut within the next week. Lambert, 22, is 2-2 with a 5.07 ERA at Albuquerque, with 51 strikeouts to 16 walks.
Numbers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League are tricky, but in his last five starts he has gone seven innings three times, six another time, and has a 3.69 ERA with 28 strikeouts against six walks. Against Las Vegas on May 24, Lambert struck out 10 with no walks and seven hits in seven innings.
But the Rockies haven’t set their rotation beyond the first three games at Wrigley -- Jeff Hoffman on Tuesday night, German Marquez on Wednesday night and Jon Gray on Thursday afternoon.
Redmond out for good reason
Bench coach Mike Redmond missed Sunday’s game to be in Spokane, Wash., for his son’s high school graduation.