CarGo tests ankle, could return to lineup soon

ARLINGTON — In the midst of discussing how he must stay positive during a disappointing stretch, Rockies manager Walt Weiss looked into the outfield at a development positive enough that he didn’t have to look for the bright side.

“CarGo looks pretty good out there,” Weiss said.

All-Star right fielder Carlos Gonzalez suffered a left ankle sprain on Aug. 3 and has played twice since, but he had to leave Monday’s game after 1 1/2 innings because of inflammation and finished the night on crutches. But before Thursday afternoon’s game against the Rangers, Gonzalez was doing sprints in the outfield and could be in the starting lineup soon.

“What’s soon? Next couple days, hopefully,” Weiss said. “Maybe if he runs around today and he does OK maybe he can pinch-hit today.”

The Rockies had blown saves in their last three games, and four of their last six. But those eighth- and ninth-inning stumbles came after solid starting pitching and, even with Gonzalez temporarily unavailable and shortstop Trevor Story (27 homers) gone for the regular season after left thumb surgery, run-producing offense.

“I’m so proud of our offense,” Weiss said. “When we haven’t had big run totals, we’ve made opposing pitchers work. We’ve gotten into bullpens, run up pitch counts, extended at-bats, extended innings. We’re …

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