The Colorado Rockies are cautiously optimistic that All-Star shortstop Trevor Story will miss only a few games, and still return this season, as initial tests reveal that Story has inflammation in his right elbow, but no tear of his UCL, after initial tests on his right forearm and elbow, Rockies manager Bud Black said Tuesday.

Story injured his elbow in his first inning with a throw Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers and left the game in the middle of his at-bat in the fourth inning with pain in his right forearm. If he were a pitcher, the immediate speculation would be Tommy John surgery. Yet, the Rockies say the original diagnosis is inflammation and that he could return by this weekend.

If Story needed Tommy John surgery, he likely would be sidelined for six months and miss the start of the 2019 season.

Any prolonged absence by Story would be a major blow to the Rockies’ postseason hopes in their bid for their first division title in franchise history. They opened the day just one-half game behind the Dodgers in the NL West.

Story is having the finest season of his career. He’s hitting .288 with a .893 on-base-plus slugging percentage with a career-high 33 homers while playing Gold Glove defense.