Rockies' Parra expected to miss 4-6 weeks following hand surgery

The Colorado Rockies will be short one of their starting outfielders through the first weeks of spring training, if not longer.

Gerardo Parra is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right hand last Friday. Despite the setback, Parra tells the Denver Post's Patrick Saunders that he believes he'll return in time for the regular season.

"I felt something when I was (hitting) in the cage last week and there was some pain in there," Parra said Friday. "It feels better already, not as much pain. I'm going to be ready by Opening Day."

The 30-year-old Parra hit .309/.341/.452 with 10 home runs and 71 RBIs in 2017, his second season with the Rockies.

Rockies manager Bud Black said the injury could open the door for David Dahl, who missed 2017 with injuries of his own, to take on a bigger role.

"The expectation is to get David regular time on the playing field, both at practice in the morning, and once games start, to get him regular work," Black said.