San Francisco – What happened to Brad Hawpe on July 9 was simple, a strained left hamstring. What happened the past seven weeks was more complicated. Hawpe’s leg injury was much more serious than originally believed, interrupting his breakthrough season.
“I never thought it would take this long,” Hawpe said Wednesday from Salt Lake City, where he was with the Triple-A Sky Sox. “I am anxious to get back.”
The wait will end Friday when Hawpe and shortstop Clint Barmes, at one point the leading contender for the National League rookie of the year, rejoin the Rockies. Barmes will hit leadoff. Hawpe figures to fall somewhere in the middle of the order.
“The team has been playing well. We just want to help keep it going,” said Hawpe, hitting .295 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs with the Sky Sox.
With Hawpe and Barmes back, the 2006 lineup, save for questions regarding catcher and center fielder, will be on display. Manager Clint Hurdle reiterated that Hawpe and Matt Holliday have answered questions as the corner outfielders, and Barmes was the team’s best player before breaking his collarbone June 5.
“It’s nice to know that most of the guys are coming back next year. That hasn’t always been the case,” first baseman Todd Helton said. “We need to continue developing that winning attitude.”
No staff changes
After evaluation and lengthy discussions, Hurdle invited back his entire coaching staff. Only Davey Collins’ status is uncertain, with the outfield coach choosing to wait until the offseason to provide an answer because of family concerns.
“I want make sure I can provide the same commitment that I have the past three years,” said Collins, who has two teenage children who live in Cincinnati with their mother. “This has nothing to do with another job or anything like that.”
Bob Apodaca enters fertile ground, the first Rockies pitching coach to hold his position more than three years. Said Apodaca, “Next year is big as far as being competitive. We can’t be satisfied with playing well and losing. Those days are over.”
DeJean contract talks
The Rockies have initiated contract talks with reliever Mike DeJean. The team would like to sign the right-hander before the free-agent filing period after the World Series. “The sooner it gets done, the better,” DeJean said.
DeJean, 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA since joining the Rockies in July, is fighting his way through a mini-slump, bothered by a blister on his right foot and a stiff neck. With an off day, he said he would be available to pitch Friday.
Footnotes
Outfielder Larry Bigbie, out with an Achilles injury, will begin a Triple-A rehab assignment today and will return next week. … September call-ups will include starter Zach Day, reliever Ryan Speier and likely first baseman Ryan Shealy. … Byung-Hyun Kim has told friends how comfortable he is with Colorado, which works in the team’s favor as it tries to re-sign him as a starter. “He’s really opened up, and he continues to improve,” Apodaca said. “I would love to have him back.”
