Wrist issue not a concern for Rosario

SAN FRANCISCO -- Wilin Rosario's catching hand is large, as you might expect, but the fingers are straighter and less damaged than is common for a catcher. The healthy hands are a reason Rosario has been a force with the bat since joining the Rockies in 2011.

But all catchers eventually have to deal with something. On Saturday morning, beginning at the base of that hand was heavy black athletic tape stabilizing his wrist.

Rosario suffered an injury to the left wrist sliding into a base on Tuesday night, and he aggravated it with a swing on Wednesday. The Rockies scratched him from Friday night's lineup to give him a day off from the bumps and bruises, but they went back to him for Saturday afternoon's game against the Giants.

"I think everything is good, and as long as it stays that way I'm going to keep in the lineup," he said. "It bothers me more hitting. I can catch with it."

Rosario entered Saturday hitting .233 with no home runs and two RBIs, but he has hit 49 home runs over the last two seasons. So the Rockies want him to take care of those hands and wrists.

Rosario said the only significant hand/wrist injury he has suffered in his career was a break in the wrist that cost him the second half of the 2009 season while at Class A Advanced Modesto. Of course, significant when it comes to catchers is major for most players. Broken and dislocated fingers are a job hazard, even for someone with seemingly pristine hands like Rosario.

"Maybe those things have happened, since everybody has those little things," Rosario said. "But most catchers have a lot of problems with their fingers and wrists. I've been lucky. But you're going to get those and you've got to play with them."