Ian Desmond makes "big step" in taking live batting practice, return imminent

DENVER – It wouldn’t be a day at Coors Field without Ian Desmond news at this point. The Colorado Rockies major offseason acquisition, who broke his hand in Spring Training, is getting extremely close to making his debut in the purple pinstripes.

On Monday, ahead of game one against his former team the Washington Nationals Desmond was given the “full green-light” on his hand and took live batting practice for the first time since the injury occurred.

Not only did Desmond take roughly 25 swings on the field, he shagged balls in the outfield and received grounders at first base. He did this while manager Bud Black, general manager Jeff Birdich and owner Dick Monfort looked on at their $70 million investment.

“Today was exciting because Desy is on the field doing everything, hitting batting practice off a live arm, taking balls, running the bases, you know what that tells me?” Black asked rhetorically. “He’s close. He’s getting close. I know you want a date, but no timetable yet.”

“Felt pretty good. My hand felt good,” Desmond said. “My swing could have felt a little bit better. But it was good to get back out on the field and feel like a baseball player again. Getting back out on the field is where I’ve got my mindset right now.”

The sidelined 31-year-old came over from Texas after a one-year stint with the Rangers in which he played centerfield. Originally a shortstop, he’s tabbed to play first base with the Rockies but has the ability to also be in the corner outfield. Wherever he plays, his three-time Silver Slugger bat will be used.

“Minor technical stuff,” Desmond said on what’s left for him. “(I’m) very comfortable. No concerns about tomorrow (taking batting practice again).

He powered a few home runs in his two dozen swings out on top of the concourse. Before that, he took swings in the tunnel and off a tee.

“Hitting home runs in batting practice isn’t really my goal,” Desmond said. “I just want to have a good crisp swing and hopefully tomorrow I’ll get back out there and do it again.”

Desmond mentioned he may not even go out on rehab assignment in the minors which would speed up his time out of the Rockies lineup by about a week. The reason for his rush to the diamond?

“I think we’re going to do something special and I can’t wait to get out there and be a part of it,” he said.

“His versatility, his value as a player, mixing that with the other guys, it’s great to see that on the field,” Black said. “He’s been chomping at the bit to do more, he got the green light medically to really swing the bat today.”

Ian Desmond is taking some grounders at first base this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/JZToXINzZU

— DNVR Rockies (@DNVR_Rockies) April 24, 2017