When David Dahl heard the “pop,” he feared the worst. Now he’s hoping to rejoin the Rockies in early September.

“I know high ankle sprains can be tricky, but I’m feeling pretty good about it,” he said Monday during a phone interview from Scottsdale, Ariz., where he’s getting treatment at the team’s spring training facility. “I want to make sure I don’t come back too fast. You have to be smart, but I’m hoping I can get back with the team by early September.”

Dahl got out of his walking boot last Tuesday and has begun to put weight on his right ankle.

The all-star outfielder was injured during an Aug. 2 game against San Francisco at Coors Field. In the sixth inning, Dahl broke hard on Scooter Gennett’s line drive to right-center field. The ball got caught in the wind and tailed at the last second. Dahl’s spikes stuck in the grass as he adjusted. He made the catch, but his right ankle bent awkwardly.

“I heard a pop,” he said. “It scared me, because I didn’t know if it was my knee or my ankle or my Achilles. All the emotion got to me. That’s why I reacted that way. It wasn’t so much the pain as it was the emotion of the moment. It was like, ‘(Heck) no, not again.’ ”

Dahl has battled injuries throughout his career. His climb through the minors was slowed by a severe hamstring injury in 2013, and a lacerated spleen suffered in an on-field collision in 2015 cost him significant time at Double-A Hartford. A rib-and-back stress reaction injury wiped out his entire 2017 big-league season, and a broken right foot cost him July and August last summer.

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The Rockies open with a four-game series at San Diego, followed by three games at Los Angeles against the perennial powerhouse Dodgers. Colorado’s home opener will be Friday, April 3, at 2:10 p.m. against the Padres at Coors Field. Friday home openers have become a popular LoDo tradition.

Colorado’s schedule includes home games on Mother’s Day (May 10 vs. Cincinnati), Memorial Day (May 25 vs. the Dodgers), Father’s Day (June 21 vs. San Diego), Independence Day (July 4 vs. San Francisco) and Labor Day (Sept. 7 vs. the Cubs). Fireworks games at Coors Field are July 3 and 4 after Colorado takes on the Giants.

The Rockies interleague opponents in 2020 hail from the American League Central. Colorado takes on the Rangers (April 6-7 at home and August 24-25 at Texas), White Sox (April 28-29 at home and May 19-20 at Chicago), Tigers (May 4-6 at Detroit), Royals (June 22-24 at home), Twins (June 26-28 at Minnesota), and Indians (Sept. 4-6 at home).

On Deck

Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (2-3, 2.40 ERA) vs. Rockies RHP Jon Gray (10-8, 4.06)

6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Coors Field

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Gray is looking to rebound from an inconsistent start at San Diego. He allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits with two walks and just four strikeouts over 5⅔ innings. In five starts against the D-backs at Coors Field, he’s 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA. He has struck out 18 but also walked 10. Gallen is making his second career start for Arizona, having made his debut Diamondbacks debut Aug. 7 against Philadelphia, tossing five scoreless innings. Arizona acquired Gallen from the Marlins at the trade deadline. According to The Arizona Republic: “Gallen checked off all the proverbial boxes. Their scouts liked the quality of his four-pitch mix, his command and control, his ability to dial up his fastball when he needed to. They liked his mound presence, the way he competed.”

Trending: Catcher Tony Wolters continues to produce at the plate. His two-run single in the first inning Monday night boosted his average to .285, best among National League catchers.

At issue: The Rockies are about to embark on a grueling part of their schedule. Thursday’s off day will be their only free day until Sept. 5, meaning they’ll play 20 consecutive days without a day off.

Pitching probables

Wednesday: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (10-7, 3.99 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10, 7.06)

Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (10-7, 3.99 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10, 7.06) Thursday: Off

Off Friday: Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (4-10, 4.44) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (11-5, 4.75), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM

— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post