WASHINGTON -- Catcher Hunter Goodman, who knocked 34 home runs before missing the last two weeks with a left shoulder strain, returned to a Rockies lineup in need for Tuesday night’s game against the Nationals.
The Rockies entered with a seven-game losing streak, and the inability to deliver the big hit was a problem in many of the games.
The two-time All-Star Goodman, whose most recent previous game was Aug. 12, re-entered his bat in the lineup for the second game of a seven-game road trip. That’s important, based on performance this season. Before the injury, Goodman slashed .265/.333/.566 with an .899 OPS and 19 home runs on the road -- better figures than at Coors Field (.236/.304/.513, .817 OPS, 15 HR).
Well, no matter where they are playing, manager Warren Schaeffer and the Rockies wanted Goodman in the lineup, posthaste. Goodman is back without having gone on an injury rehab assignment, which is common practice for Rockies players. To prepare, Goodman hit at full speed against a machine programmed to mimic specific Major League pitchers, and he took batting practice at Nationals Park on Monday.
“He’s awesome,” Schaeffer said. “He’s our All-Star. He’s got 30-plus homers. It’s always great to get a guy like that back in the lineup. He feels good, which is even better.”