TJ Rumfield may have earned a National League Rookie of the Month honor in May, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more learning to do, especially at Coors Field.

As June settles in, so does the different angle of the sun at 20^th and Blake. The early innings of any Rockies night game mean the sun is setting in the space between the third-base and left-field stands. A throw coming from shortstop or third base is often an adventure early in the game as the first baseman battles the sun’s glare.

“I can’t ever remember having to battle something like that,” Rumfield said before Friday’s home series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. “If you just happen to be hitting and hit a routine ground ball to third base, you better run it out at that time of day. I don’t know anybody who can pick up the ball from third base with the sun like that.”

Sure, sunglasses and a hat can help, but Rumfield said it’s imperative for throws early in the game to come in low or perhaps even bounce to first.

“If it’s just a regular throw, it gets lost,” Rumfield said.

One thing that hasn’t been lost so far this season is the impact Rumfield has had with the Rockies. He earned NL Rookie of the Month in May after slashing .310/.400/.483 in 25 games with 13 runs scored, three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs. In May, he ranked near the top of many offensive categories among all National League rookies, including batting average (first), on-base percentage (first), OPS (.883, first), home runs (tied for first), slugging percentage (second), hits (27, third), RBIs (third) and total bases (42, third).

Also, Rumfield is excelling at defense, not committing any errors in his 374 chances in 2026, heading into Friday.

“It’s not just the individual effort, although it might seem like that in the box score,” Rumfield said of his award. “There are a lot of game plans that go into this, and I’d be lying if I said I did it all by myself. I’m grateful to have people around me and grateful to have the opportunity to win the award.”

Injury updates

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer provided multiple injury updates before Friday’s game, including notes on three outfielders currently shelved by various ailments.

Jordan Beck, placed on the injured list on May 18 with a left hamstring strain, has received an injection and is “progressing,” according to Schaeffer.

Mickey Moniak, sent to the injured list on May 22 with right ankle tendinitis, is moving forward with baseball activities.

“He’s feeling better. He hit off the tee some while we were in Anaheim,” Schaeffer said, adding he could need a rehab assignment before returning to the Rockies lineup.

Brenton Doyle, who suffered a left oblique contusion on a diving catch attempt at Coors Field on May 19, is “feeling a lot better,” Schaeffer said. However, he is not taking part in any baseball activities, and he is “a ways out” from returning.

On the pitching side, relievers Jimmy Herget (right shoulder impingement) and Victor Vodnik (right ulnar nerve inflammation) are scheduled to throw live batting practices on Saturday at Coors Field. If all goes well, the duo will be sent to Tacoma to join Triple-A Albuquerque.

“They will have two outings apiece there, and then we will reevaluate and see if they’re ready to come back up,” Schaeffer said.

Additionally, Chase Dollander (right elbow strain) is progressing as well, with no timeline for return. Welinton Herrera, on the 60-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, is getting a second opinion on what has been reported as an ulnar collateral ligament tear.

‘Confidence’ in Michael Lorenzen

With an 8.01 ERA through his first 14 games (13 starts), Michael Lorenzen is struggling in his first season with the Rockies. However, Schaeffer expressed confidence in the veteran right-hander on Friday.

“The thing that I want to get across about Michael is that he’s been doing this for a very, very long time,” Schaeffer said. “He knows his body well; he knows what he needs to do; he’s a professional. Some people go through stretches where it’s not good, and Mike’s going through that right now, but it could change as soon as the next start. That’s how much confidence I have in him, and his ability to see a problem, address a problem, find a solution, and move forward. And we have a lot of good coaches that can help him with that as well.

“I can’t wait until he pitches again. I can’t wait to see the adjustments that he makes because he’s the ultimate competitor.”

Brewers 9, Rockies 7

What happened: Hunter Goodman launched his 16th home run of the season, and three Rockies pitchers limited Milwaukee to just one hit over eight innings. However, the Brewers scored eight runs over the final two frames, including four in the 10th inning, to stun the Rockies.

On the mound: Colorado starter Ryan Feltner was on top of his game, retiring the final 13 batters he faced to finish off his six-inning night. Jake Bauers led off the second inning with a double and would later score, representing the only hit and run surrendered by Feltner against the Brewers.

At the plate: Colorado’s Jake McCarthy led off the first with a double, then stole third before scoring on Tyler Freeman’s RBI groundout. McCarthy finished 2-for-6, marking the fifth time in the last seven games that he has logged multiple hits.

What’s next: The Rockies have yet to name a starting pitcher for Saturday. Whoever starts will be matched up against Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (6-2, 1.65 ERA) at Coors Field on Saturday at 7:10 p.m.