DJ LeMahieu, the Rockies’ dependable, Gold Glove second baseman, was scratched from the lineup for Saturday night’s game vs. Seattle because of lower-back tightness, the club announced.
The announcement came about 6:15 p.m., 55 minutes before the first pitch at Coors Field. Utility infielder Pat Valaika replaced LeMahieu in the starting lineup.
LeMahieu, a two-time Gold Glove winner, made two excellent, sliding plays in the first inning Friday night, and and another in the second.
Colorado’s leadoff hitter is batting .279, with eight home runs, 22 doubles and 34 RBIs.
Earlier on Saturday, the Rockies recalled right-handed starter Jon Gray and left-handed reliever Sam Howard from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman to Triple-A.