San Francisco – Jamey Wright’s demotion is an audition.
He has five weeks to prove he can make the transition from starter to reliever. Otherwise, he won’t be part of the Rockies’ future.
“This could be the beginning of the second half of my career, and I would like it to be here,” Wright said. “Maybe I will dye my hair purple and throw smoke.”
Wright was moved out of the rotation to make room for Sunny Kim and Zach Day, who will pitch this weekend at Coors Field. The Rockies want Wright back if the experiment works, praising his value as a teammate. Wright, however, won’t receive an invitation to spring training as a starter, manager Clint Hurdle confirmed.
“There’s a lot of people in our organization who believe Jamey can pull this off,” Hurdle said.
Day, who starts tonight in Triple-A, impressed general manager Dan O’Dowd with his most recent outing. Day profiles well at Coors Field with a good sinker and slider.
COACHING DECISIONS NEAR: There are growing signs Hurdle will tweak his coaching staff. He and O’Dowd have discussed the importance of improving in all areas as both enter the final year of their contracts. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca and hitting instructor Duane Espy have received the brunt of the fans’ wrath.
“Clint and I have talked about some different ideas throughout the year. We are getting to a point where we will reach a decision,” said O’Dowd, declining to discuss specifics. “We have to continue to get better, and if we don’t, I probably will not be the one sitting in this chair helping make these decisions this time next year.”
GREENE’S, MILES’ FUTURES IN DOUBT: Todd Greene, the past two seasons sabotaged by hamstring injuries, will change his offseason routine. He will attempt to become more flexible, even if he doesn’t return to Colorado. “I don’t have fear, I have faith,” Greene said. …
Aaron Miles’ already falling at-bats won’t nose dive anymore with Eddy Garabito not expected among the September call-ups. Miles will function primarily as a pinch hitter, while possibly giving Garrett Atkins a day off at third base. Jeff Baker, meanwhile, won’t join the Rockies again this season, partly because of a thumb injury.
