Catch the daily spring training roundup each afternoon from Rockies beat writers Troy E. Renck and Patrick Saunders in Tucson. You’ll find insider information on players and what the team is working on as they get ready for the 2007 season. Check every afternoon for the Rockies Rundown.
At 33, Todd Helton looks older and bigger. He’s also become smarter. While in the past, it required the jaws of life to remove him even from a spring training game, Helton is more cautious. He will sit out his second straight game tonight with inflammation his right knee.
“I feel good. It will be fine,” Helton said.
Helton would have normally played the past two days because the games were in Tucson. Helton rarely, if ever makes road trips to Phoenix as a concession to his back injury.
The other contributing factor is that it frees up at-bats and playing time for Jeff Baker, who is still learning first base. In an ideal world, Baker will see time as a reserve corner outfielder and infielder.
Tonight’s lineup vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:05 p.m.
2B Jamey Carroll
CF Steve Finley
3B Garrett Atkins
1B Jeff Baker
LF Matt Holliday
SS Troy Tulowitzki
RF Alexis Gomez
C Chris Iannetta
P Aaron Cook.
Cook is making his second start of the spring as he bids for the Rockies’ opening day assignment. Scheduled pitchers to follow: Taylor Buchholz, Brian Fuentes, LaTroy Hawkins and Denny Bautista.
The Diamondbacks’ pitchers tonight:
RHP Edgar Gonzalez
RHP Micah Owings
LHP Greg Smith
LHP Doug Slaten
RHP Tony Pena
No excuses
Relievers, for the most part, are like hockey players. They shoot straight, sparing no punches when they struggle. The Rockies’ Tom Martin offered no excuses for Saturday’s rugged spring debut. He allowed three runs.
“I didn’t have good location. Tommy Murphy ambushed a first pitch fastball and a made a bad changeup on another pitch hit hard,” Martin said.
Manager Clint Hurdle has hinted that he might use Martin as a left-handed specialist this season if the depth plays out as expected. Martin is open to any role.
“I don’t care if pitch in the second or the seventh or the eighth,” Martin said. “I will do whatever they want to help us win.”
By the numbers: 0
The number of projected starters in the Giants’ opening day lineup who had 100 RBIs last season. The Giants are hoping the return of Rich Aurilia will help Barry Bonds get some more pitches to hit. The Giants’ lineup, both in age and lack of pop, is why no one is picking them to return to the playoffs.
Upon further review
Reliever Dave Veres was delighted with how his arm and sore right hamstring felt Saturday, 24 hours after making his spring debut. Veres, 40, is working on the same schedule as all the relievers and will pitch in Monday’s B game against the White Sox. “I was interested to see how I came out of it, but I feel great. No problems,” said Veres, who had left hip replacement surgery a year ago.
Working the fundamentals
The Rockies worked on bunt plays and took batting practice at Hi Corbett Field before going over to Tucson Electric Park. Most of the focus involved pitchers covering first base on balls hit to either the first baseman or second baseman. These drills can become monotonous, but the Detroit Tigers are the shining example of why pitcher fundamental practice is important. The Tigers, unexpectedly, went haywire with their pitchers’ defense in the World Series. Said Hurdle during drills, “We have to put these outs away. You take these when they give them to us.”
