Ezequiel

Tovar

Tovar will get some extra time off the rest after making an early exit from Monday’s series opener with discomfort in his left side around his ribs. It’ll be Orlando Arcia taking over at shortstop in his absence. He’ll presumably undergo further evaluation and testing to determine whether he’s dealing with an oblique strain. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer told reporters Tovar was lifted for precautionary reasons after “feeling something” near his left ribs during Monday’s series opener. The lack of specifics makes it challenging to forecast his immediate outlook, but it doesn’t sound like anything too serious. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

Tovar was replaced at shortstop by Orlando Arcia in the bottom of the eighth inning. No word yet on the reason. He finished 1-for-4 with a run scored. There should be an update on his status shortly.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and Thomas Harding have also confirmed the initial report. Arica was released over the weekend by Atlanta after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 30-year-old’s offensive numbers were abysmal this season, but the fact that his defensive metrics have tumbled off the metaphorical cliff are what seem to have sealed his fate. It’s unclear how he fits into Colorado’s plans with Ezequiel Tovar locked in at shortstop, but he presumably will get a look at second base where prospect Adael Amador has underachieved so far.

Tovar ripped a solo homer off Cristopher Sánchez for his second roundtripper of the season, and he added another RBI with a single in the third. He’s picked up hits in seven of his last 10 at-bats, and it’s improved his slash to .270/.310/.450.

Tovar will get a break during Sunday’s showdown at Chase Field after recording a career-high five hits during Saturday’s slugfest. It’s certainly nice to see the 23-year-old producing again in his return from the injured list after a frosty start to the year.

Tovar needed just a double for the cycle. The 23-year-old connected on his first homer of 2025 with a solo shot in the third inning off Zac Gallen. Tovar was just activated from the injured list Friday after missing significant time with his hip injury, but he’s one of the few Colorado hitters worthy of roster consideration right now.

The dynamic 23-year-old shortstop has been shelved since mid-April due to a hip contusion. His bat is desperately needed in the middle of a Rockies’ lineup that has been struggling to generate consistent offense. Before landing on the shelf, Tovar was slashing .212/.257/.303 with zero homers, four RBI and two stolen bases in his first 66 at-bats.

He also had a 107-mph lineout. Tovar, on the IL with a hip contusion, should return this weekend. He’s gone 4-for-18 in five rehab games to date.

Tovar also played the entire game at shortstop, which is a positive step in his return from a hip injury. When Tovar does return, Kyle Farmer will likely go back to playing mostly second base, which means Adael Amador could be sent back to the minors.