Ian Desmond breaks hand in spring Rockies game

Associated Press

Mar. 13, 2017, 7:44 a.m.

The Rockies signed Ian Desmond to play first base. (Chloe Aiello/Denverite) — Ian Desmond talks to the media. (Chloe Aiello/Denverite)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Colorado Rockies lost one of their biggest offseason acquisitions when Ian Desmond was hit by a pitch Sunday, breaking his left hand.

Desmond was plunked by Cincinnati right-hander Rookie Davis with a 93 mph fastball in the fourth inning of the Rockies’ 9-8 loss in spring training. The team says the preliminary diagnosis on Desmond is a left hand fracture, and he will see a specialist on Monday.

The Rockies signed Desmond to a $70 million, five-year contract over the winter to help balance out their lineup. Desmond broke into the majors as a shortstop and played in the outfield last year with Texas, but was transitioning to first base with Colorado.

The 31-year-old Desmond hit .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs this year in his lone season with the Rangers, earning his first All-Star trip since 2012. He also had 21 steals and scored a career-high 107 runs.

He broke into the majors in 2009 with Washington and is a .267 hitter with 132 homers and 518 RBIs in eight seasons.

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Ian Desmond talks to the media. (Chloe Aiello/Denverite)