TUCSON, Ariz.-
Kazuo Matsui impressed the Colorado Rockies last year with his speed and ability at the top of the batting order.
The 31-year-old Matsui had just this third major league season in 2006. He was acquired from the New York Mets in June of last season but didn’t play a game for the big league club until Aug. 22, after spending time in Triple-A.
In 32 games with the Rockies last year, he hit .345 with two home runs and 19 RBIs. Matsui also notched eight stolen bases.
He is the only switch-hitter on Colorado’s roster this year.
“What is best for the team is what I want,” he said through an interpreter. “I try not to think about hitting from the left or right. I just try to get better.”
Matsui may split time at second base with Jamey Carroll. Matsui is expect to hit near the top of the order, more than likely behind leadoff man Willy Taveras.
The Japanese-born Matsui played for the Seibu Lions from 1995 until he was signed by the New York Mets in 2004. Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said the glare of the East Coast baseball spotlight may not have let Matsui find his own place in the American game.
“We tried to embrace him at his own time and at his own pace and make him aware of what we were looking for in how his package can play in our game,” Hurdle said. “We gave him a chance to start over, a clean backboard.”
Matsui said he was taking English lessons in the offseason.
“(The language) is really, really difficult,” he said. “I can understand most of what people say, but it is hard from me to respond about it.”
Notes:@ The Rockies announced the tentative pitching schedule for the first Spring Training games. Aaron Cook, last year’s No. 2 starter, will start the first game, Wednesday at the Chicago White Sox. The game is at 1:05 p.m. MST at Tucson Electric Park. Jeff Francis will start the first home game of exhibition Thursday against the White Sox at Hi Corbett Field at 1:05 p.m. Rodrigo Lopez and Jason Hirsh will face off in an intrasquad game Friday. Byung-Hyung Kim gets the nod Saturday as the Rockies host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at 1:05 p.m. at Hi Corbett.
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