San Diego – Rookie catcher JD Closser fits into a mask, but not a box. There’s no song in which he doesn’t know the words, no topic he won’t discuss, no game he can’t provide pep.
But overshadowing his personality and energy is a sinking batting average. Through 14 games, he is hitting .160 with one extra-base hit. It’s a jarring statistic given that Closser’s bat, not his glove, was expected to keep him in the lineup.
“This game will make a man out of you,” Closser said. “Everyone goes through a funk sooner or later. This is just going on a lot later than I had hoped.”
While the Rockies went into crisis mode with their bullpen, initiating a drastic makeover, Closser is not yet in danger of being shipped back to Triple-A Colorado Springs. His position and experience demand, according to general manager Dan O’Dowd, evaluation beyond sheer numbers.
“JD is having the toughest time of all the young players, but we knew that would be the case because of the position he plays,” O’Dowd said Tuesday night. “We will stay patient. The only way we would change our thinking with JD is if he stopped believing in himself. And that hasn’t been the case.”
Closser has been given every reason to harbor frustration, even bitterness. Not only is he slumping, he is the unofficial team leader in line-drive outs.
“At some point that ball I am hitting at the second baseman is going to sail over his head,” Closser said with a smile.
That Closser’s roster spot is not in jeopardy – though his playing time could suffer a bit if Todd Greene, who homered Tuesday, stays hot – can be traced to his defense. While it’s still a “work in progress,” O’Dowd admitted, concern has been eased with a solid month that has been absent of passed balls that plagued him in spring training.
“He’s learned the importance of separating offensive from defense,” catching coach Jamie Quirk said. “He’s not hitting the way he wants. But I have told him that it only takes a couple of multihit games and nobody’s talking about it anymore.”
Oliver, Miceli unlikely Rockies
O’Dowd continues to seek additional bullpen depth, even as the relievers have begun to stabilize. But Darren Oliver is not an option and chances of Dan Miceli joining the team have dimmed considerably over the past few days, given his desire for a guaranteed major-league contract.
Oliver has asked for his release from the Diamondbacks’ organization and is prepared to retire. Said agent Jeff Frye, “The Rockies wanted him to go into relief and see how his arm would respond and do it on a 45-day contract. That’s just not something that interests him.”
The Rockies have interest in reliever Steve Karsay, designated for assignment, when he becomes a free agent.
Footnotes
Center fielder will not start his second consecutive game today, available only to pinch-hit after straining his left groin Monday. Trainer Keith Dugger believes Wilson will be ready to play Friday. …
Top prospect Chris Nelson returned to extended spring training after straining his hamstring at Single-A Asheville. Assistant general manager Bill Geivett said the club will exercise extreme caution before returning the shortstop to game action.
