The Colorado Rockies' minor league system could be without outfielder Tim Wheeler for up to a month following an injury to the hamate bone in his right wrist, an injury that occurred on Thursday. He will have surgery to fix the injury.
↵Wheeler moved up to the Triple-A level for 2012 and was hitting .200/.375/.280 through eight games for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. In 2011, Wheeler had a breakout year with 33 home runs (second in the minors) and a .900 OPS at the Double-A level for the Tulsa Drillers. He also stole 21 bases that year.
↵The 6-foot-4, 215-pound center fielder has raised concerns over the years about his ability to play center and will likely move to a corner spot when he makes the majors. If he can come back strong from this injury, a late season call-up isn't out of the question. Still, he'll need to hit lefties to be more than a bench player in the majors.