Ian Desmond's injury hands Gerardo Parra a chance at a fantasy revival

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Here are the fantasy implications of Colorado Rockies OF/1B Ian Desmond suffering a broken hand during spring training:

Desmond, a free-agent signing from the Texas Rangers, was struck on the hand by a pitch during a spring training game, Sunday. ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that Rockies' GM Jeff Bridich expects Desmond to be out for six weeks. A return toward the end of April is possible.

A shortstop during his time with the Washington Nationals, Desmond served as an outfielder last season while in Texas, and was slated to be Colorado's starting first baseman despite never having played the position before.

It's Desmond's power/speed combo rather than his versatility making him a fantasy asset. The 31-year-old has recorded at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in four of his last five seasons and owns a career slash line of .267/.316/.427. The move to the thin air of Coors Field should amplify his power potential, even if his steal totals can be expected to decline as he ages.

Desmond will certainly drop in fantasy drafts; according to FantasyPros, he had a pre-injury average draft position of 51st overall.

He can likely be obtained at a discount by any fantasy owners willing to stash Desmond in a disabled list spot for the first month of the season and live with the risk of his power being affected by lingering effects of the injury.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

There's not an ideal replacement for Desmond in season-long fantasy leagues, but OF/1B Gerardo Parra looks like he'll have the best chance at seeing increased action.

The 29-year-old had a disappointing, injury-riddled first year in Colorado in 2016, slashing .253/.271/.399 with seven home runs in 102 games.

In 2015, the left-handed-hitting Parra had a .291 average along with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases while splitting time with the Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers, so a rebound campaign is certainly a possibility.

One way or another, Parra should be in Colorado's Opening Day lineup, either at first base for Desmond or in the outfield in place of OF David Dahl, who remains sidelined with a rib injury. Parra made 19 appearances at first base last season, though he primarily featured in the outfield.

Other candidates at first base include 33-year-old Mark Reynolds, who hit for a career-best .282 average with 14 home runs in his first season in Colorado, and prospects Stephen Cardullo and Jordan Patterson.

The end of spring training should reveal more about who Desmond's replacement(s) will be, but other than Parra, none of the above names look to be anything other than daily fantasy options.