Phoenix – If the Rockies want to call bullpen member Mike DeJean, they will have to reach him on his cellphone.
What had become increasingly clear in his mind for two weeks became impossible to ignore as DeJean flew back to Denver on Tuesday night because of soreness in his right shoulder. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list, the length of his absence crystallizing more after an MRI today.
“It started at the end of spring training,” DeJean said after quickly packing and heading to the airport. “It hurt enough now to keep me off the mound. Knock on wood, I have never had any major (shoulder) problems, but it’s biting.”
Ramon Ramirez, a hard-throwing right-hander acquired in the Shawn Chacon trade last summer, will join the team today, selected over Bret Prinz and Nate Field because he’s already on the 40-man roster. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca said he will lean on left-handers Ray King and Tom Martin to get more right-handers out, and David Cortes likely will be pushed back later into games.
DeJean, a clubhouse leader and a priority in re-signing last winter, knew something was wrong Friday nin San Diego, feeling discomfort during an at-bat against Terrmel Sledge. DeJean lasted just two outs. The Padres’ doctor examined him Saturday and found tendinitis, according to Rockies trainer Keith Dugger. When DeJean couldn’t play catch without pain Tuesday, the decision was made to shut him down and seek further medical treatment.
“We all have to pick him up,” said setup man Jose Mesa, part of a revamped bullpen that has compiled a 3.86 ERA. “It’s not on one just guy. We all have to do more. He’s going to be back. Don’t worry, we are going to be all right.”
Barmes sits, works
Nothing better reflects the Rockies’ trust in their bench than Tuesday’s lineup.
Clint Barmes wasn’t in it. He’s hitting .258 and coming off a 2-for-5 outing, and manager Clint Hurdle sat him to work on his swing.
“He needs a better overall approach,” Hurdle said.
The Rockies want to see more patience out of Barmes, especially since he’s hitting second, in front of Todd Helton. Barmes did not walk once in his first 31 at-bats. Jamey Carroll replaced him.
Gonzalez waits, watches
Luis Gonzalez made his living as a human reserve clause for two years, learning patience. He finds himself in that position again, unseated from second base until Jason Smith’s bat stops smoldering.
“It’s frustrating to have to watch, but with the way Smitty is hitting, I understand,” Gonzalez said. “I have to just be ready for anything.”
Footnotes
Starter Byung-Hyun Kim threw a simulated game and will begin a rehab assignment possibly this weekend at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He must work up to 100 pitches, meaning he will make at least three minor-league starts. …
Jeff Francis, today’s starter, didn’t bother watching tape of his first outing, saying: “The key is my approach. I need to be more aggressive.” …
Sun-Woo Kim reached 95 mph on his fastball Sunday, but realizes he must mix in his other pitches to be more effective. “I have had two bad games. I don’t want any more,” Kim said.
Rockies recap
Rockies starter Aaron Cook has earned a reputation for inducing groundballs. But he never has had one quite as odd as Tuesday’s first-inning gem against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a play that left fans questioning who’s on first and what happened on second. With Cook tiptoeing into quicksand, loading the bases with one out, Conor Jackson lined a shot toward left fielder Matt Holliday.
Holliday dived, just missing a spectacular grab. The runners froze. So Holliday picked up the ball and fired to third to force out Chad Tracy, who hadn’t moved off second because he thought the ball was caught. Atkins then threw to second base to force out Luis Gonzalez, who hadn’t moved from first because Tracy was a statue at second.
ROCKIES ON MEND: Outfielder Jorge Piedra, out with a heel injury, will work out with the Rockies during the series before returning to extended spring training. Reliever Scott Dohmann (viral infection) will pitch again for Single-A Modesto before moving to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
