Ezequiel Tovar injury update is concerning for Rockies

MIAMI — Even when the Colorado Rockies post a victory, bad news seems to find its way into the organization.

Gold Glove-winning shortstop Ezequiel Tovar left Monday's 6-4 win in the eighth inning with what he described after the game as "a pinch" on his left side near his rib. However, that pinch has now turned into concern for the Rockies as Tovar was being evaluated for a left oblique injury.

Tovar is out of Tuesday's lineup and is expected to miss Wednesday's series finale in south Florida as well, according to Colorado interim manager Warren Schaeffer. With the Rockies having a day off on Thursday before opening a weekend series in Denver against the New York Mets, the time off will be spent evaluating Tovar to see if this an injury that could land him on the injured list for the second time this season.

Schaeffer said the injury happened after Tovar's second at-bat on Monday.

"He felt something small, and it started progressing a little more after that," Schaeffer said. "That's why I wanted to get him out (of the game)."

Orlando Arcia, signed by the Rockies on May 28 after being released by the Atlanta Braves on May 25, will take over at shortstop for the Rockies in Tovar's absence. Arcia was Atlanta's Opening Day shortstop this season and was an All-Star at the spot in 2023.

Arcia is 3-for-9 in his short time with the Rockies, including a solo home run, heading into Tuesday's game.

"That's a big help," Schaeffer said of Arcia being on the roster. "He's been an All-Star at the position and can slide right in there."

Tovar missed nearly a month earlier in the season with a left hip contusion, finally returning to the lineup on May 16. In 138 plate appearances this season, Tovar is slashing .258/.301/.406 with three homers and 10 RBI.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.