DENVER – Colorado Rockies superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado exited the Friday night game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning.

He could be seen on the AT&T Sports broadcast grasping at his shoulder.

He was replaced by Ryan McMahon.

Arenado has been an anchor for the Rockies in what has been a tumultuous 2018 for just about everyone else on the club. In addition to his usual spectacular Gold-Glove-sweeping defense, he has put together arguably his best season at the plate to date.

Slashing .308/.391/.588, he is walking more than he ever has in his career and hitting for his trademark power with 29 home runs and 82 RBI.

The Rockies entered play in Friday 3.5 games out of first place in the National League West and 3.5 games out of a Wild Card Spot with 47 to play.

Obviously, they can ill-afford to lose their best player for anything close to an extended period right in the tick of a hunt to make the postseason in consecutive years for the first time in franchise history.

We will have details on the extent of his injury as they emerge.

UPDATE:

Rockies manager Bud Black, appearing on the telecast, said that Arenado “tweaked” hit shoulder turning a double play earlier in the game and said that the removal is precautionary at this time.