Hunter Goodman (thumb) returns to lineup on Friday

Goodman has now missed three straight games with right thumb soreness after being pulled from Monday’s game early. There is no indication that the Rockies are thinking about putting him on the injured list, but they also have nothing to play for at this point in the season, so it’s possible. Brett Sullivan will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

There’s zero incentive for the Rockies to rush back their primary offensive catalyst with nothing at stake in the final two weeks of the season. The positive news for fantasy managers is that Goodman hasn’t been placed on the injured list. He’ll sit out his second consecutive game due to right thumb soreness. He should be considered day-to-day for now. It’ll be Braxton Fulford getting the nod behind the dish in his place.

It sounds like Goodman will avoid a trip to the injured list, but he’s on the bench after making an early exit from the late stages of Monday’s series opener with right thumb soreness. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a couple additional days off to rest and recover this week since the Rockies have nothing at stake during the final two weeks of the season. It’ll be Brett Sullivan taking over behind the plate in his absence.

Goodman connected on a full-count fastball from Tigers rookie starter Andrew Sears, lifting a no-doubter to left field to provide Colorado with an early advantage in the third inning. He’s gone deep twice in his last four games and is within six big flies of Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the major-league lead. He’s on pace for his first-ever 40-homer campaign and will finish alongside Ben Rice, who won’t retain catcher-eligibility next season, as the most valuable backstop in the entire fantasy landscape.

Goodman’s home run was his 37th of the season. He hit a two-run shot in the ninth inning off Yankees reliever Tim Hill. Goodman broke a streak of 10 games without a home run. His 37 home runs are already six more than he had last year in 20 fewer games.

Goodman had started every other game during the week, either as the Rockies’ catcher or as the designated hitter, so he’ll get at least a partial day off in this one. Brett Sullivan will do the catching for the Rockies and will bat seventh against Cardinals’ right-hander Kyle Leahy.

All three of Goodman’s hits were singles. His lone RBI on the night came on a single in the fifth inning that brought home Ezequiel Tovar. Goodman has hit safely in three of his last four games and is slashing .255/.280/.617 on the month with five homers and 12 RBI.

Both will miss a chance to face RHP Jake Irvin. Zac Veen and Brett Sullivan will get the call. This is likely just a normal rest day for Goodman as a catcher in a day-game-after-a-night-game situation.

Goodman’s homer left the bat at 109.5 mph and was projected at 432 feet. He grounded out twice and struck out once in his other three at-bats tonight. In spite of the 12-day absence, Goodman is tied for fourth in the majors with 35 homers this season.

Goodman returns to Colorado’s lineup following a minimum stint on the injured list with a left shoulder strain. The power-hitting 26-year-old catcher has been phenomenal this season, hitting .251 with a career-high 34 home runs, 69 RBI and five steals in 460 plate appearances.