NEW YORK -- Rockies shortstop Trevor Story reported before Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Mets that the swelling from the left thumb he jammed Saturday night was subsiding, and he is pushing to return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Dodgers at Coors Field.
Story jammed the thumb sliding into second base in the top of the fourth inning of the 7-2 victory, then landed on the thumb diving for a ground ball in the bottom of the inning. But X-rays were negative and there was no reason Sunday to think it was more than a jammed thumb.
This is Story's second finger injury during a season that has seen him set the National League record for homers by a rookie shortstop with 27, with two months to play. He was hit by a pitch on his right middle finger June 26, missed four of the next five games, and went 0-for-12 in four games after his full-time return.
But Story said this isn't the time to be tentative.
"We're right in the thick of it right now," Story said. "Everybody's banged up. People aren't feeling good. There are a lot of things that you've got to play through. That's what I'm planning on doing."
Parra needs time
Left fielder Gerardo Parra, who hasn't played since June 14 because of a troublesome left high ankle sprain, began his injury rehab assignment with Double-A Hartford on Friday and Saturday. Manager Walt Weiss said both went well health-wise, and Parra's return will be dependent on regaining comfort in the batter's box.
"Physically he's going well," said Weiss, who said Parra played seven innings Saturday. "He was out a long time. He's got to get some at-bats."
Qualls slowly working back
Veteran righty Chad Qualls, who hasn't pitched since July 15 because of colitis, has been playing catch in Denver, but there is no timetable on him increasing activity.