Pardon the interruption, but Yorvit Torrealba is finally going to begin his season. Torrealba flew from Portland, Ore., to Denver on Thursday, and barring any unforeseen problems during a medical exam, he will be activated by the Rockies tonight.
Torrealba’s importance has grown during his absence, with the team desperately needing punch at the bottom of the lineup. Their catchers – injured Danny Ardoin, Miguel Ojeda and recently promoted JD Closser – combined for six RBIs in 88 at-bats in May.
When the Rockies acquired the 27-year-old Torrealba, they talked about his youth and bat. He’s a career .343 hitter at Coors Field.
“I still think he’s playing catch-up and probably could use a little more time on (at Triple-A), but sometimes if you keep a player too long it becomes counterproductive,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said Thursday.
Torrealba hit just .167 with the Sky Sox but gradually regained his timing and had no problems making his throws after rehabbing a strained right shoulder. Closser, one of the team’s most impressive players on the road trip, is expected to remain on the roster, with Ojeda, who has minor-league options, being farmed out.
Hochevar a wild card
The Rockies worked out 25 draft prospects at Coors Field on Thursday, most of them area players. The Rockies own the second pick overall in Tuesday’s amateur draft, and opposing executives say they are focusing on a college pitcher. If Kansas City takes North Carolina’s Andrew Miller at No. 1, Houston’s Brad Lincoln, Washington’s Tim Lincecum and Cal’s Brandon Morrow could be candidates for the Rockies, though Luke Hochevar represents an interesting wild card.
After initially saying he would pass on Hochevar, O’Dowd said Thursday that he wouldn’t rule out picking the former Tennessee and Fowler High School star. O’Dowd said he has discussed Hochevar recently with agent Scott Boras. Hochevar waded back into the draft pool after the Los Angeles Dodgers wouldn’t meet his almost $3 million asking price after choosing him a year ago. Hochevar has pitched well for the independent-league Fort Worth Cats, impressing scouts with his velocity and command. Long Beach State infielder Evan Longoria also is a possibility with the second selection.
Biding his time
Rockies executives, including O’Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle, will mull personnel changes during a meeting Saturday. The meeting was planned in advance as the team assesses its roster a third of the way through the season. The club is expected to make a decision on infielder Josh Wilson, who has been rehabbing a broken foot, by this weekend.
Hurdle wants improved pinch-hit production, meaning outfielder Jorge Piedra will be considered for promotion. Piedra’s foot injury has healed, and he has begun to string together more quality at-bats for Colorado Springs.
“I am just trying to get in the groove,” Piedra said. “If I were lucky enough to be called up, I would expect to do well.”
