In a search for April answers, Jason Jennings altered his winter.
The most experienced starter on the Rockies’ staff is focusing on core training in offseason workouts in Dallas. Jennings switched by following the lead of major-leaguers Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins, Craig Monroe and Rockies teammate Choo Freeman.
“They have all done it before and swore by it,” Jennings said.
Statistics are behind the experiment. Jennings trudges in the season’s first month, going 6-11 with a 6.32 ERA, compared to a 43-32 mark with a 4.78 ERA later.
A new routine, he theorized, might provide a new start. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle discussed the change with Jennings, hinting it might produce the second opening-day assignment of his career – an honor that escaped him last year when Joe Kennedy was chosen.
“What we are going to do different this year is come out of the blocks cleaner as a team and individually,” Hurdle said. “His Aprils have been notoriously skewed. You know, a lot of people would say, ‘How can you give the ball to a guy on opening day that has a history of terrible Aprils?’ Maybe that’s something in and of itself to shake up the mix.”
Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd noticed the change in Jennings’ physique when the 27-year-old visited team officials at the winter meetings last month. Jennings isn’t concentrating on losing weight but on strengthening his back, shoulder and abs. That’s why he travels to the gym each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to toss a medicine ball, do push-ups and perform agility drills.
Jennings incorporates two throwing sessions and has experienced no problems with grip or command related to the middle finger on his right hand that he broke sliding July 20. Jennings went 6-9 with a 5.02 ERA – his third straight losing record – but salvaged his season with a 2.25 ERA in his final four starts, including a July 9 victory in the first 1-0 game in Coors Field history. Hurdle called that stretch Jennings’ best as a Rockie.
“What I am doing has changed my body composition. I feel more solid,” Jennings said. “I am happy with the way the workouts are going and hope it makes a difference in (the way the season starts).”
Harris on to-do list
The Rockies will attempt to finish negotiations with utility man Willie Harris by midweek and begin searching for an extra outfielder and pitching depth. Harris wants to be a Rockie, but his situation has become less certain as rumors of a monster trade involving Boston’s Manny Ramirez and Baltimore’s Miguel Tejada gain momentum.
The moving parts could create an infield void in Baltimore. Agent Daryl Buford indicated Sunday he would weigh any opportunity against an offer from the Rockies, who remain his client’s first choice.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
