Desmond not expected to return until late April

The Colorado Rockies made a splash in the offseason when they decided to invest $70 million over five years in Ian Desmond, but now it appears they won't have the slugging infielder for at least the first month of the season.

Desmond left Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds after being hit by a pitch, and was later diagnosed with a fractured left hand.

During an appearance on KOA NewsRadio with Steffan Tubbs on Tuesday, Rockies manager Bud Black said the 31-year-old will undergo surgery on his hand - including the insertion of a metal plate in his wrist - on Wednesday and isn't expected to return until late April.

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich told Jim Bowden of ESPN that Desmond will likely be out six weeks, which fits with the timeline Black provided.

Black also said he feels like the Rockies will be able to "adjust" without Desmond in the lineup. In his absence, they could turn to veteran Mark Reynolds or 29-year-old Stephen Cardullo at first base.

2016 stats

After struggling to a .674 OPS with the Washington Nationals in 2015, Desmond had a turnaround season with the Texas Rangers last year, hitting .285/.335/.446 with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs on a career-high 178 hits.