Silver Slugger, 2-Time All-Star Lands on IL with Shoulder Injury

The Colorado Rockies placed their best player, catcher Hunter Goodman, on the injured list on Monday after he hurt his shoulder. The team had to scratch him from the lineup before the game even started. Goodman, who is 26 years old, has been one of the best catchers in the National League over the past two seasons. His injury is a big blow to a Rockies team that is already having a tough year.

Goodman has had back-to-back great seasons for Colorado. Last year, he hit 31 home runs and drove in 91 runs, earning his first All-Star selection and his first Silver Slugger award. The Silver Slugger is given each year to the best hitter at each position in baseball. He kept up that strong play this season, hitting 34 home runs and driving in 69 runs before getting hurt, and was named an All-Star for the second year in a row.

Even though losing Goodman hurts, the Rockies are not in a rush to bring him back. The team has a record of 50 wins and 75 losses, putting them 24.5 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. Since the Rockies are nearly out of the playoff race, keeping Goodman healthy for the long run matters much more than getting him back quickly. His long-term health is far more important than whatever value he could provide for the remainder of Colorado's season.

To fill Goodman's spot, the Rockies called up minor-league catcher Braxton Fulford. Fulford has already played in 40 games for Colorado this season, going back and forth between the majors and the minors. He has not hit as well as the team's other catchers, with fewer home runs and runs driven in. Still, he gives the Rockies another capable player at a position that is very physically demanding.

Fulford will likely serve as the backup to veteran catcher Brett Sullivan while Goodman is out. Sullivan has been on the Rockies' active roster all season, appearing in 65 games with 7 home runs and 27 RBIs. He has more big-league experience and has been more consistent at the plate than Fulford this year. Together, the two catchers will try to keep things steady until Goodman is healthy enough to return.

Fulford did not wait long for his chance to prove himself. He started behind the plate and batted eighth in the Rockies' lineup on Tuesday as Colorado faced the division-leading Dodgers. The game was set to begin at 5:40 p.m. PT. It was a great opportunity for Fulford to show the team what he can do while their star catcher heals.