DENVER -- Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday with turf toe in his left foot. He sustained the injury diving back to second base in the eighth inning on Wednesday night and didn't take the field for the ninth.
Catcher Dustin Garneau was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. He gives the Rockies protection at the position, since catcher Nick Hundley was undergoing concussion protocol on Thursday. Hundley took a vicious hit from a foul tip that twisted his mask sideways in Wednesday's game.
The Rockies' primary leadoff hitter, Blackmon went on the DL with turf toe in his right foot on April 4, 2012. On Wednesday night, Blackmon had his first multi-hit game of the season with a triple and a double. In eight games this season, he's hitting .185 (5-for-27) with two doubles, one triple, three RBIs, six runs scored and one stolen base.
In five games with Albuquerque, Garneau batted .222 (4-for-18) with two doubles. He played in 22 games for the Rockies last season and hit .157 (11-for-70) with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and six runs scored.
Worth noting
If right-hander Jon Gray (abdominal strain) comes through his second rehab start without any setbacks, he will likely join the Rockies' rotation on April 22 and start against the Dodgers. Gray is scheduled to throw about 85 pitches on Friday for Class A Advanced Modesto, meaning he would have six days' rest when he takes the mound against the Dodgers.
The Rockies will use a fifth starter for the first time this season when Christian Bergman faces the Cubs on Saturday. Gray would replace Bergman in the rotation.