Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau will not be ready to return from the disabled list Friday when he is eligible according to Denver Post writer Patrick Saunders.

The reigning batting champion was placed on the special seven-day concussion DL last week, and manager Walt Weiss told the media Friday that Morneau is still suffering from concussion like symptoms.

No updated timeline for his return has been announced by the team or media sources at this time.

This news is troublesome for the Rockies as Morneau suffered multiple concussions with the Twins earlier in his career. Morneau missed much of the 2010 and 2011 seasons with issues relating to concussions. After rekindling his career with the Rockies, and winning the National League batting title Morneau is hitting .290 this year with three home runs and nine RBIs.

In the absence of Morneau, Wilin Rosario and rookie Ben Paulsen have been manning first base, going 11 for 32 with 1 home run in that span. Rosario is hitting .309 this year in 56 plate appearances filling in for Morneau, and playing DH in American League parks.


Scott Annis, an intern at Mile High Sports and student at Colorado Media School, contributed to this report