Ian Desmond’s announcement yesterday that he would opt-out of the 2021 season (for now) is one that will have ripples through the final roster decisions.
Desmond was originally figured to be the team’s fourth outfielder and come off the bench to face left-handers. His .281 career batting average off lefties made him useful to match up in a division that features Blake Snell, Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Julio Urías and Madison Bumgarner.
As the Rockies stand right now without Desmond, those at-bats look to fall to the other outfielders on the team, Sam Hilliard and Garrett Hampson.