ATLANTA -- The tough-guy way to say it is Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado's right shoulder must be OK since he returned to defensive duty at third base on Thursday night.
But let's face it: Arenado is in pain, and he will be. The pain level, which forced him to leave last Friday's game, is higher when he has to extend his arm on shorter, softer throws than high-velocity ones.
But Arenado has played through worse … well, maybe. The ice and treatment that fans never see are the wages of the contorting defensive plays and big swings.