Cleveland – As the words fled his tongue, there was no venom, no bitterness.
Jay Witasick signed with the Baltimore Orioles in January, leaving more money and better opportunities on the table to play at home. He grew up in Maryland, lives on a small ranch 40 minutes from Camden Yards. Everything was perfect.
Then came spring training, and reality pulled out a glass slipper and pounded him between the eyes. Witasick failed to make the team, with the Orioles ultimately paying him $50,000 to go away.
Three months later, Baltimore is patching together its bullpen and Witasick has emerged as the Rockies’ most dependable reliever, setting up closer Brian Fuentes.
“But how can I say, ‘I told you so’ to a team that’s in first place?” said Witasick, whose Rockies begin their first series at Camden Yards tonight. “I thought I could have helped them, especially later in the season. It just didn’t work out.”
Witasick, 0-2 with a staff-best 2.52 ERA in 21 games, didn’t stay unemployed for long, quickly signing with the Rockies. He chose Colorado because of his previous success in the National League West and, oddly, a desire to pitch at Coors Field.
“I am not intimidated by the park. I try to use it to my advantage,” Witasick said. “A lot of guys come in there and want to hit home runs. That makes my sinker more effective.”
Witasick, 32, returns to Baltimore pitching as strong as at any point in his career. Dogged by criticism that he performed well only when his team trailed the past few years, the veteran right-hander has allowed just three earned runs over his past 22 1/3 innings – two of which came courtesy of a wrecked fingernail.
“He’s been solid,” Fuentes said. “He’s helped our bullpen take shape.”
Trade winds breezing
Starter Joe Kennedy wandered into the clubhouse and asked, “Where am I going to be traded?” Oakland remain the most likely destination, given its strong interest and the Rockies’ desire to land Triple-A closer Jairo Garcia, though the Athletics may not part with him.
The Washington Nationals ramped up their interest Thursday, admittedly targeting pitchers on teams out of the playoff race.
The Dodgers like Kennedy, but their preference appears to be Cincinnati’s Aaron Harang, in many ways a Derek Lowe clone. Ted Lilly and Mike Maroth are also on their wish list. The Rockies are seeking hard-throwing relievers and everyday players.
Double-A catcher Russ Martin could be an appealing target. The Rangers are monitoring Kennedy and could also make a run at Jason Jennings.
Footnotes
Former Rockies pitcher Denny Neagle appeared for a pretrial conference and a jury trial was scheduled for Sept. 21 in Jefferson County Court. Neagle pleaded not guilty to soliciting a prostitute. The Rockies released Neagle in December and reached a settlement in May, agreeing to pay $16 million of the remaining $19.5 million on his contract. …
Second baseman Aaron Miles (back) will begin a Triple-A rehab assignment today. The Rockies want him to get 25 at-bats, meaning he will likely return to the Rockies in a week. Catcher Todd Greene (hamstring) will join Miles on Sunday, eyeing a weekend return to the big leagues. …
Blaine Neal, who has walked a runner in six of his past seven appearances, is in danger of losing his roster spot to Dan Miceli, whose Triple-A promotion appears imminent.
