LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates his solo homerun in front of Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to take a 3-2 lead during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

SCOTTSDALE — It was spring training last season when David Dahl’s career with the Colorado Rockies not only hit a speedbump, but took a complete detour as well. Now, one year removed from the rib injury that cost him the entire Major League season in 2017, Dahl is pushing to not only get his swing back but also reclaim his spot in the Colorado lineup.

In January, Dahl swung a bat for the first time since July 31, a minor league game that was as far as he progressed last season after suffering a stress reaction injury in his rib after just two 2017 spring training games. It’s been a long road back for Dahl but says he is starting to feel more at ease in the box every day.

“It’s coming around. It’s about timing and pitch recognition,” Dahl said in an exclusive interview with Rox Pile. “It’s hard to put a timetable on it. It’s about when my body gets in synch with the pitcher and start recognizing everything.”

Dahl burst onto the scene with the Rockies in 2016, hitting .315 in 222 at-bats. That included seven home runs, 24 RBI and a record-tying rookie hit streak. It seems strange after seeing those stats, but the injury now has Dahl working to make the Opening Day roster in 2018.

His goals for spring, Dahl said, were simple.

“Showing that I’m healthy and that I have no issues. Of course, everyone’s goal is to make the team. I just wanted to get back into it again,” Dahl smiled.

The 23-year-old Dahl knows he is competing for a roster spot against players such as Raimel Tapia and Mike Tauchman, both players who saw in the time in the Rockies outfield last season while Dahl was shelved. Dahl now joins them trying to make a good impression on the Rockies staff this spring.

As a note, Colorado manager Bud Black has never managed Dahl in a Major League game, or had the opportunity to do so. That means Dahl must prove himself all over again. However, he is taking the competition and opportunity in stride.