Rockies player Brenton Doyle injures index finger in ‘freak accident’

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (9) walks back to the dugout during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field in Denver on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage/The Denver Post)

Brenton Doyle had an unforgettable July, but Sunday was one to quickly forget.

The Rockies Gold Glove center fielder injured his index finger on his right (throwing) hand early in Colorado’s 5-4 loss to the Giants at Oracle Park.

When Doyle fouled out Erik Miller to end the first inning in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, Doyle angrily threw a towel at the practice gear in the dugout, according to MLB.com. But Doyle stubbed his finger on the gear, causing a bruise.

Manager Bud Black spoke with Doyle and it was determined that he could not properly hold a baseball or bat. As a precaution, Doyle was pulled from the game in the third inning — a move that led to bizarre online speculation that he might be part of a deal ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. An X-ray showed no major damage.

“It was a bad, kind of freak accident,” Black told reporters in San Francisco. “It’s a bruise on the tip of his finger. … He unintentionally hurt his finger.”

Doyle told MLB.com that he hopes his finger heals quickly so he can play in Colorado’s three-game series against the Angels, which begins Tuesday night in Anaheim, California.

Doyle, in his second season in the Majors, is having a great month and has a good chance of being honored as the National League player of the month.