In a Grapefruit League exhibition game between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, Brendan Rodgers, the former Rockies second baseman, found himself in a familiar and unfortunate situation. Diving to his left for a ball off the bat of Brooks Lee, Rodgers landed awkwardly on his right throwing shoulder, an injury that has haunted him throughout his career.
The Red Sox quickly reported that Rodgers was experiencing "right shoulder pain." Given his history of major surgeries on both shoulders, this development is concerning for both Rodgers and the team.
Rodgers, who joined the Red Sox in February on a minor league deal, was competing for a backup infield role. His journey has been a rollercoaster, especially for fans in Colorado, who watched him struggle with injuries over the years.
Drafted 3rd overall by the Rockies in 2015, Rodgers was a top high school prospect, signing a $5.5 million bonus, the largest in franchise history at that time. Yet, injuries have consistently derailed his path to stardom.
His injury history is extensive: a right shoulder labral tear in 2019, a capsular strain in 2020, and left shoulder surgery in 2023 after a spring training mishap. Add to that hamstring strains in 2021, 2022, and 2024, and it's clear Rodgers has faced more than his share of setbacks.
Last season with the Astros, Rodgers' luck didn't change. Limited to 43 games due to a left oblique strain, his recovery was further hampered by a collision with shortstop Edwin Diaz, resulting in a broken nose and concussion. A bout of lumbar spine inflammation in August sealed his fate for the season, with Astros manager Joe Espada ruling him out by September 20.
Despite these challenges, Rodgers' talent shone brightly during his 2022 breakout season. Playing a career-high 137 games, he earned a NL Gold Glove Award at second base with 22 Defensive Runs Saved, the most by a second baseman since 2012.
For Rodgers, staying on the field has been the toughest battle. As he now faces another hurdle with the Red Sox, it's a story that resonates deeply with Rockies fans who have long supported him through his trials.