Rockies’ Ryan McMahon says he’s not on trading block following first All-Star appearance

Fresh off his first All-Star appearance, Ryan McMahon shot down the possibility he’s on this month’s trading block.

As the Rockies rebuild for the future amid another season on track for 100-plus losses, McMahon’s career year gives him value on the open market that the club could exchange for what they need most: pitching.

But McMahon, who is under contract through 2027, said he received assurance in a recent conversation with GM Bill Schmidt that No. 24 isn’t leaving LoDo anytime soon.

“I’m excited to stay here,” McMahon said. “Coming in as an 18-year-old kid, I’ve grown up a lot in this organization, and there’s a lot of guys I enjoy playing with here. I’m not sad about it, I’m happy about it, and I’m glad Schmidt and I had that talk.”

McMahon slashed .272/.350/.447 over 95 games en route to becoming the fourth Rockies third baseman to earn an All-Star nod. His six defensive runs saved at third are fourth-most in the majors, and his walk-off grand slam in the home opener on April 5 was one of the few notable highlights of an otherwise ugly first half for Colorado.

In the All-Star Game on Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, McMahon came off the bench in the sixth inning, playing second base. It was his first appearance at the position since last season, when he played 22 games there (16 starts). At the dish, the 29-year-old was 0 for 1 with a strikeout.

“That was weird (playing second) because I hadn’t been there in a while,” McMahon said. “(San Diego’s) Luis Arraez had a little thumb (injury) he was dealing with, so (Diamondbacks manager) Torey Lovullo ran me through it the day before about getting me in the game at second, and I said, ‘Alright, let’s do it.'”

McMahon said he soaked in the week, from the red carpet to the Home Run Derby to the game itself, “like a kid on the first day of school.”

“I wanted to do everything and get the full experience,” McMahon said. “(Kris Bryant) told me to get everything I could out of the gift room, and that was really cool, so I’m glad I did that.”

And after watching Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez win the derby, McMahon said he’ll continue to try to get into the event at some point. As a prospect in 2016, McMahon was the National League winner in the Arizona Fall League’s Bowman Hitting Challenge, a derby where players can also earn points for hitting targets around the field.

“I would love to do it,” McMahon said. “I’ve tried to get into it a couple times, throwing the idea my agent’s way. Fingers crossed it happens eventually.”

Rockies injury updates. Rockies manager Bud Black said Kris Bryant will play this weekend’s series with Triple-A Albuquerque and then Colorado will re-evaluate the first baseman/outfielder, who has been on the injured list with a left rib contusion/oblique injury since June 3. … Black said outfielder Nolan Jones is “feeling better” from the lower back strain that’s kept him out since July 12. Jones took batting practice on the field ahead of Friday’s game, but there’s still currently no timetable for his return. … Outfielder Jordan Beck (fractured left hand) has resumed hitting in the cage and he’s going to start playing games in Triple-A again sometime soon, Black said. He’s been out since May 26. … Southpaw Lucas Gilbreath, who has yet to pitch this season in his comeback from last year’s Tommy John surgery, is throwing live batting practice on Saturday at the Rockies’ complex in Arizona. He’ll then throw in an Arizona Complex League game next week before heading on an extended minor-league rehab assignment. … Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, also coming off Tommy John surgery, is inching his way back. He threw a bullpen on Friday and he will likely move to throwing live batting practice sometime next week. A September return remains the target.

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