LOS ANGELES – Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop and MVP candidate, Trevor Story, has “damage” in his UCL (right elbow), according to multiple reports.

BSN Denver is still trying to ascertain the specific details of what that damage entails and what it could mean for him moving forward, but this was clearly not the news that the Rockies or their fans were hoping to hear today.

He departed Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the middle of his fourth-inning at-bat, and was replaced by Pat Valaika.

He told the media after the game that he felt “tightness” in the elbow after a throw early in the game and felt it again on a swing that prompted the trainers and manager to remove him from the contest.

This could not come at a worse time for the super athlete who was one the verge of becoming the first 30/30 (home runs/stolen bases) player for Colorado since 1997. He had just vaulted himself into the National League MVP conversation and has almost inarguably been the most important position player in the second half for a club trying to win their first ever National League West title.

He has been the heartbeat of a 2018 club that has struggled to find a rhythm all year while most of its players have produced far below their usual numbers.

It is unclear as of publication if Story will miss time or need to change his role down this vital stretch and/or into a potential postseason run. We will have those details as they emerge.

One thing is certain, though, Story is by far the most difficult member of the roster to replace. He has played nearly every game of the season at shortstop, leaving little experience there for anyone else. Pat Valaika and Garrett Hampson represent the young and unproven potential fill-ins, and Ian Desmond stepped in for a bit in the game on Monday night, which could be the best move the Rockies can make to try to maintain some stability in the lineup.