What is Rockies' Plan B with Thairo Estrada injury?

With Opening Day for the Rockies set for March 28, it's clear that Colorado needs another answer at second base to begin the campaign. That answer, however, may have layers.

Already on the roster is Kyle Farmer, who was originally signed by the Rockies this season to serve as the team's utility infielder. Farmer's place on the roster was envisioned to be a spot starter when a break was needed for third baseman Ryan McMahon, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar or Estrada.

When Estrada missed time earlier this week in spring training after being hit in the back of the head and neck area by the foot of Michael A. Taylor of the Chicago White Sox on a steal attempt, Farmer logged the majority of innings at second base that would have gone to Estrada. The plug-and-play option was simple until Estrada returned on Thursday.

However, is Farmer the answer for the Rockies for an extended period during the regular season? The 34-year-old has a career OPS+ of 87 and has never posted a year with 100 or more in the category. While Farmer may keep the Rockies afloat on a defensive level, at least on paper, he doesn't seem to be the long-term answer on offense.

Still, for now, he may get the majority of playing time since he is already in camp.

"I think with Farmer, there was always a steadiness and knowing how to play the game," Rockies manager Bud Black said earlier in the week. "He's not flashy. He's straightforward and good all around.

"I don't want to say old school player, but there's a way he plays is of a winning type of player."

The Rockies have Adael Amador, ranked as the franchise's seventh-best prospect by MLB.com, as an option at second base as well. However, he went 6-for-35 with six strikeouts during a 10-game MLB stint last season when Rodgers went down with an injury. The 21-year-old Amador has never played at the Triple-A level, and Colorado executives were planning on watching his development in Triple-A while Estrada and Farmer held down second base.

If Colorado were to look outside the organization for a replacement for Farmer's utility role if he takes over full-time, it would have to be a player who can contribute offensively for a potentially short period of time. 

With that in mind, look for the Rockies to try to weather the Estrada injury internally, using a mix of Farmer and possibly Amador and/or Owen Miller, a veteran infielder who is still in camp with the Rockies but not yet on the 40-man roster.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.