Bud Black updates health status of David Dahl

Colorado Rockies soon-to-be second-year outfielder David Dahl is making strides in his recovery. In fact, he’s set to join the team on Thursday in San Francisco.

Dahl, 23, started the season the 10-day disabled list with a stress reaction in his rib.

“He’s improving, he’s healing, Bud Black said Tuesday. “He’s playing catch, he’s moving around. Anything rotational we’re still staying away from. Swinging is not happening. But it’s important because he’s important.”

Once one of the Rockies top prospects, Dahl, exceeded his rookie eligibility late last season getting his first action in the big leagues after the all-star break. But before that, he tied an MLB record by hitting safely in his first 17 games.

Dahl is a big reason why expectations are higher than they’ve been in a long time for baseball in Colorado. At his best, he can help the team in every way on the diamond. But injuries have hampered him throughout his still young career, missing almost his entire second season with a torn hamstring and famously missing a large chunk of time two years ago after a collision in the outfield cost him his spleen. Colorado will be crossing their fingers that this ballplayer can take the field very soon.

We should get an update on when he will return sometime this weekend but in the meantime, the Rockies and their fans can take some solace in the fact that his replacement on the roster, Gerardo Parra, has been very good in Dahl’s absence.

We will have more as the story develops.