DENVER -- First baseman TJ Rumfield, among the few consistently productive offensive players for the Rockies this season, was scratched from the lineup due to right shoulder inflammation just before the first pitch of Sunday afternoon’s game against the Giants.
“He’s day to day,” manager Warren Schaeffer said after the 19-6 loss -- although the Rockies won Friday and Saturday for their first series win since late April. “Right before the game, his throwing shoulder tightened up. He had a tough time throwing. He tried to go into the cage and hit, and it didn’t feel great, so it was a natural scratch. We’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow.”
Rumfield, 26, was obtained in a trade with the Yankees during the offseason, and as a rookie is batting .284 with seven home runs and a team-high 28 RBIs. After winning a job during Spring Training, Rumfield has established himself in the middle of the lineup.
Rumfield’s batting average had him tied for the MLB lead among qualified rookies. He also has a .443 slugging percentage, which is fueled by his homers, plus seven doubles and one triple. But manager Warren Schaffer believes steadiness is his most impressive trait. Rumfield has a .361 on-base percentage, and has struck out just 34 times in 201 at-bats.
“I talk about it often – TJ’s ability to mentally stay the same every day in a tough environment, no matter where you’re at – whether you’re here at Coors, whether you’re at Dodger Stadium,” Schaeffer said during the week. “His ability to stay [steady] the first time in the big leagues shows me that he’s going to be like that for his entire career.
“His defense has been really, really good, saving errors from guys, making tough plays. He’s got good hands for a big man.”