The Colorado Rockies truly need some of their young core players to step up, and their rising star shortstop has done so since returning from injury.

The Rockies reacted with emotion to the news that third baseman Ryan McMahon was traded to the New York Yankees prior to their 6-5 win in the series opener against the Orioles on Friday. The nine-year veteran was dealt for pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz.

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle were tagged as the Rockies’ future. The team even held bobblehead nights for both players.

The Colorado Rockies were in the right place, at least geographically, when they traded Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees.

Ezequiel Tovar hits a solo home run to left field to give the Rockies a 6-5 lead in the top of the 8th

Ezequiel Tovar hits a three-run home run to center field, giving the Rockies a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning

When shortstop Ezequiel Tovar made his big-league debut late last season, he was 21 years and 53 days old, making him the youngest position player to debut in Rockies history.

The Rockies handed shortstop Ezequiel Tovar a seven-year, $63.5 million contract extension before last season embodying their hopes and dreams. This wasn’t what they had in mind. After a first half in

Time is running out for Ezequiel Tovar to fashion a silver lining on what has been a frustrating and injury-filled season.