San Diego – Trevor Hoffman has stared down, baffled and struck out Rockies batters on a regular basis since joining the Padres’ bullpen in the middle of the 1993 season.
That was Colorado’s first season in existence.
But now there’s a chance the closer’s storied career in San Diego could be entering its final chapter. Hoffman soon will be a free agent and he has not heard from Padres CEO and president Sandy Alderson about a new contract. If he leaves the National League West, the Rockies will no doubt breathe a sigh of relief.
Hoffman, who turns 38 this week, converted 43-of-46 saves this season and is now second on the majors’ all-time save list with 436, trailing only Lee Smith (478). He has notched 41 saves against the Rockies and has posted a stellar 2.45 ERA.
Two other key Padres, catcher Ramon Hernandez and right fielder Brian Giles, also will be free agents. They have not had any substantial contract talks with San Diego management about returning to the Padres.
Fick in, Sweeney out
Padres manager Bruce Bochy decided to start utilityman Robert Fick at first base Saturday night instead of Mark Sweeney or Xavier Nady.
“It gives us, I think, probably our best pinch hitter coming off the bench,” Bochy said, referring to Sweeney. “We just decided to go with Fick and start him. I think, overall, he is our best defensive first baseman.”
Mulder slowly mending
Cardinals lefty Mark Mulder is recovering from an ugly bruise on his left biceps and likely won’t be available to pitch for at least a few more days.
“He’s made some improvement,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said Saturday. “With all of the treatment, he’s got some relief. He’s not as sore as he was yesterday, so that’s a good sign. But I don’t think anybody has told me that means he can throw off the mound on a particular day.”
Mulder won Thursday’s Game 2, pitching 6 2/3 innings, but his pitching arm was left black and blue by a line drive off the bat of Padres third baseman Joe Randa. Mulder had been penciled in as the Game 2 starter in the National Championship League Series, but that start is now up in the air.
Peavy out
Bochy said that even if the Padres won Saturday night to extend the series, ace Jake Peavy would probably not be able to pitch during the remainder of the NLDS. Peavy has a fractured rib and has been getting treatment but is still sore.
“I would say he’s out, yes,” Bochy said before Saturday’s game. “I don’t see Jake pitching this series. Hopefully it goes further and we have to answer this question – if he could give us some work – in Game 5. I would say he’s out. Not 100 percent, but 99.”
Footnotes
Sports Illustrated has honored two Cardinals players. It chose first baseman Albert Pujols as its National League most valuable player and tabbed Chris Carpenter as the NL’s top pitcher. … Saturday marked the 28th anniversary of one of the great performances in Cardinals history. On Oct. 8, 1967, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson pitched a five-hit, 6-0 shutout against the Boston Red Sox to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead in the World Series.