The Rockies are giving Zac Veen another stage Friday night, and after what he showed in his first game back, it’s easy to see why. Colorado has Veen starting in right field and batting seventh as it opens a three-game set against the Giants at Oracle Park.
Veen’s return to the majors came with a jolt Wednesday, when the 24-year-old drilled a two-run homer off Merrill Kelly in the fourth inning to help push Colorado to a 6-1 lead. It was his second big league home run, and it arrived after a strong run at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he put up 24 home runs and a 1.037 OPS across 100 games.
Colorado enters the night at 48-73, but there’s at least a little life in the club after taking two of three from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Rockies closed that series with a 6-4 win, fueled by home runs from players near the bottom of the lineup.
Brett Sullivan was part of that power display too, and he’s back in the mix Friday. He’ll catch and hit ninth after launching a three-run homer in the second inning Wednesday.
The Rockies shuffled the lineup around him. Jake McCarthy is back in center field and leading off, with Mickey Moniak following him in left.
Willi Castro has moved into the No. 3 spot and will start at third base. TJ Rumfield is batting cleanup and staying at first, while Troy Johnston returns as the designated hitter.
Colorado is also dealing with more personnel hits. The rookie third baseman Karros was placed on a seven-day concussion injured list Wednesday after colliding with Tovar the previous night.
Karros had already homered before leaving that game. Tyler Freeman is also on the injured list with lumbar pain.
That leaves the Rockies in a spot where they have to keep sorting through the roster and see what sticks. With those injuries piling up, Friday offers another look at some of the younger pieces and where they might fit moving forward.
Kyle Freeland gets the start for Colorado. He comes in at 3-10 with a 6.63 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 112 2/3 innings.
The Giants will counter with Landen Roupp, who is 7-11 with a 4.22 ERA and 123 strikeouts.
First pitch is set for 8:15 MT at Oracle Park.
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