Ian Desmond thankful for his time with the Nats

DENVER - Rockies first baseman Ian Desmond took ground balls at first and went through a relatively normal batting practice Monday as he rehabs from a left hand fracture that has kept him out of the lineup for the first month of the season.

"It's a big step," Desmond said. "I think getting back on the field, that's kind of where I have my mind set on right now."

Desmond worked out as the team he started his career with, the Washington Nationals, arrived for a four-game set. Desmond met with the Washington media before the game and was asked about the memories of his time in D.C.

He played seven seasons with the Nationals. He was an original Nationals player, having been drafted by the Expos in the third round in 2004.

"There are so many," Desmond said. "The grind through the minor leagues. All the guys that invested so much time and effort in me. Especially Randy Knorr, Troy Gingrich, Mark Grater, Bobby Henley, my time with Frank (Robinson) there, all really special. Obviously, getting called up, having (Jim) Riggleman there. And then, obviously, the debut. But probably the birth of my first son, first division championship. There's a lot of really good stuff. The (Nationals Youth Baseball) Academy. There's too many. I could go on and on, we'd be here all day."

Desmond played shortstop with the Nats. Last season he was an outfielder for the Rangers. This season he was expected to play first base for the Rockies, but Mark Reynolds is off to a great start. Could Desmond play outfield or shortstop, then, for Colorado? He's not worried about it. He just wants to play baseball.

"I had the conversation with (Nats play-by-play voice) Dave Jageler when I got called up," Desmond remembered. "I just want to be a ballplayer. That's kind of what I've tried to do throughout my career: try to be the best teammate I can be and get out there and help the team win.

"We all, to a certain degree, like a challenge in life. Being with a new team and possibly a new position, it's going to be a good adventure."

But clearly, Desmond still carries memories and emotions from his time in Washington. Just like Sergio Romo's reaction to a standing ovation in San Francisco yesterday, when he arrived with the Dodgers, the games against the Rockies at Nats Park this summer (July 28-30) could be emotional for Desmond. But outwardly right now, he's having none of that.

"I think I've done a pretty good job of cutting the cord," Desmond said. "I think any time you go to a new team you owe it to your teammates to be fully invested. I thought I did a good job with the help of Adrian (Beltre) and Elvis (Andrus) and those guys, they kept on me pretty hard to cut the cord. I'm really grateful for my time in Washington, really grateful for my time in Texas, but I couldn't be happier to be here and be a part of this team. We are going to do something special. I can't want to get back out there and be a part of it."

So does Desmond think it will be nice to see his old buddies in the visitors' dugout this week?

"It'll be good. I'm excited, obviously to see you guys too," Desmond said. "We spent a lot of time together. I'm excited. We got some good momentum going here and I'm going to try to share as much as I can."