Tinkering remains on Clint Hurdle’s agenda as the Rockies begin a six-game road trip with a game tonight in St. Louis.
Despite the team’s early-season success, Hurdle is taking advantage of his club’s depth to squeeze out more offense.
That’s why utilityman Eli Marrero will likely get his first start at catcher this week. Although Danny Ardoin went 2-for-4 with a double Sunday in Colorado’s 5-3 victory over Houston, he’s batting .179 and has driven in just two runs. Marrero is batting .308 with four homers and nine RBIs in spot duty.
“We are looking to get some people in who can be more offensive,” Hurdle said. “As we continue to work with Danny and his offense, Marrero will probably start a game behind the plate on the road trip. It would seem kind of silly not to try it, as well as he’s been swinging the bat.”
There’s also a chance Hurdle will move Jamey Carroll from second to shortstop, at least for a game or two. That would allow Luis Gonzalez playing time at second. Regular shortstop Clint Barmes will sit while he tries to fix what’s broken in his swing.
“We are trying to get Barmes to maintain his hand position through his swing,” Hurdle said. “Right now it’s almost like a Nike swoosh. What you want is for the swing to be a straight line from point A to point B.”
Barmes and Gonzalez have been struggling. Despite an RBI double Sunday, Barmes’ average is .235 and he’s 3-for-31 in his past eight games. Gonzalez, who did not play Sunday, is 1-for-13 in his past four games and is batting .221.
Setback for DeJean
There’s no telling when veteran right-handed reliever Mike DeJean will return. He was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this week, but now won’t throw for at least five days.
“I need to let that inflammation calm back down,” said DeJean, who threw a bullpen session Saturday. “All I know is that it’s tight and it’s sore. I’ve pitched in considerable pain before, but this is something that – I wouldn’t say it’s alarming – but it’s not anything I’ve ever experienced.”
DeJean has not pitched since April 7 and is not sure when he’ll return.
“I have no idea. The only thing I can concentrate on right now is getting the soreness and inflammation out,” he said. “I’m disappointed that I can’t go out there and pitch, but we’re doing really well so that takes some of the pressure off.”
Return of the King
Reliever Ray King returns to St. Louis today, where he played for two years before the Cardinals traded him to the Rockies during the offseason.
As much as he loved playing in front of the Cardinals’ rabid fans, he’s glad to be a Rockie.
“I’m totally happy, 100 percent happy,” King said. “No. 1, I came to a team that wanted me. No. 2, I came to a team that knew what my role would be when I came in. And I came to a team that did its homework and did its research.”
And because the Rockies hold spring training in Tucson and King’s family lives outside Phoenix, he gets more family time.
“All in all, it’s worked out well,” he said.
Footnotes
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba left for Tucson on Saturday to work on his throwing motion. His injured shoulder is nearly healed, but he needs to work on his delivery to the bases. After spending a few days in Tucson, he will join Triple-A Colorado Springs for a rehab assignment. … Carroll continues to find ways to get on base. He drew his 10th walk of the season Sunday and has reached base safely in 12 of his past 14 games.
Rockies recap
When Brian Fuentes took the mound in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon, it marked his first appearance since Wednesday.
That’s a long time for a closer to be away from the mound. Though it wasn’t vintage Fuentes, he came in and did his job, picking up his seventh save of the season. When Fuentes relieved Aaron Cook, there were no outs and Astros were on first and second.
Fuentes quickly induced a groundball double play from Brad Ausmus. But then Fuentes gave up a run-scoring triple to Adam Everett and a run-scoring single to Eric Bruntlett. With the crowd getting antsy, Fuentes settled down and struck out pinch-hitter Craig Biggio to end the game.
“I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked to have been because I was behind in the count a little bit more than I wanted,” Fuentes said. “It was good to get a double play right away, but then I guess I made it a little interesting.”
HIGH-WATER MARK: The Rockies are six games above the .500 mark, the latest in a season the club has been that far above .500 since Sept. 14, 2000 (76-70).
STREAKING SULLIVAN: Center fielder Cory Sullivan went 3-for-4 with a sacrifice fly. He has hit safely in 12 of his past 14 games, at a .356 clip. Sullivan is hitting .314 for the season.
