Rockies make unfortunate roster move on 24 homer outfielder before 2026 season

2026-03-27 · Yahoo Sports

Rockies make unfortunate roster move on 24 homer outfielder before 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Colorado Rockies didn't play on Opening Day with most of Major League Baseball, as they begin their 2026 season on Friday, March 27th, against the Miami Marlins.

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While the Rockies aren't going to be a World Series, let alone postseason contender in 2026, there are some interesting players worth keeping an eye on this season. One of whom is a former Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels outfielder.

However, that 24-homer outfielder in Mickey Moniak got some unfortunate news, as according to Tomas Harding of MLB.com, the Rockies have placed Moniak on the injured list before the Rockies' Opening Day.

Rockies place Mickey Moniak on IL

"Rockies OF Mickey Moniak has been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 24) with a sprained right ring finger," Harding reports. "C Braxton Fulford had been recalled from Triple-A @ABQTopes."

The Rockies are going to be down one of their top players from a year ago to begin the 2026 season, as Moniak lands on the injured list right before the season begins.

Moniak isn't the only outfielder in the NL to be on the receiving end of a surprise injured-list placement, as Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio landed on the IL with a fracture in his hand.

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Last season for the Rockies, Moniak had a great year with 24 home runs, 68 RBIs, nine stolen bases, eight triples, and 117 hits, all career highs. He also had 20 doubles, a .270 batting average, and an .824 OPS and 115 OPS+.

While his counting stats were all career-bests, Moniak's value wasn't graded highly, as he ended the season with -0.6 bWAR in his sixth season.

Moniak is 27 years old, and while he might not have lived up to the first-overall draft pick hype in his career, there is at least something worth being interested in with his game.

But, at least for now, the Rockies will have to move forward without him, as he lands on the injured list right as the regular season is getting underway.

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