Phoenix – Injuries have the Rockies’ starting rotation out of kilter, and manager Clint Hurdle won’t know until today what he’ll do to fix it.
The leading candidates to get some late-season starts are Jamey Wright and Mike Esposito. Wright was demoted to the bullpen last month. Esposito, who has been traveling with the team for 12 days and working out to stay in shape, could be activated to the major-league roster.
Friday night, Zach Day was lost for the rest of the season when he fractured his right thumb on his second pitch against the Diamondbacks. Wednesday night in Los Angeles, Byung-Hyun Kim strained his right hip and left after four innings. Kim, scheduled to start Tuesday night at Coors Field against the Padres, will throw on the side today to see if he’ll be ready.
“We really won’t know what to do until (today),” Hurdle said. “We might only need one pitcher or we might need two. I really can’t make a move until we find out more.”
Although Day’s injury cut short his season, surgery will not be required to repair the thumb.
GREENE’S DAY: Catcher Todd Greene started his first game since Aug. 26. He was 1-for-3 Saturday with a strikeout. In the third, Diamondbacks leadoff hitter Craig Counsell stole a base off of Greene.
Hurdle said there were a number of reasons behind his decision to sit usual starter Danny Ardoin and play Greene.
“No. 1, Todd has caught (Aaron) Cook very effectively in the past,” Hurdle said. “Also, it’s a day game coming after a night game. And (JD) Closser gave us some concerns with his throwing his last time out. So I want to get Greene a couple more starts before we go into our final evaluations. I want to see who fits in here as we go forward.”
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR? Friday, Hurdle actively lobbied the media and promoted third baseman Garrett Atkins for National League rookie of the year. Saturday, Atkins backed up his boss’ boasting, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. His 76 RBIs lead the Rockies and also lead all major-league rookies.
