TUCSON, Ariz.-
Colorado Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was called up for 25 games late into the 2006 season, but this time around he will be starting for the Rockies.
The 22-year old, drafted seventh overall in the first round in the 2005 draft, was declared the starter after Colorado’s 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday in a game called after the bottom of the seventh due to rain.
“I am excited. It is a dream come true being a shortstop on opening day, something you think about as a child running out there,” Tulowitzki said. “It is a great feeling. I am looking forward to opening day and helping this ball club win games.”
Tulowitzki, batting .342 this spring with five doubles and six RBI, beat out Clint Barmes for the starting nod.
Barmes was assigned after the game, along with outfielder Cory Sullivan and pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to AAA Colorado Springs. The Rockies also assigned infielder Erick Almonte and pitchers Mike Gallo and Matt Herges to minor league camp. Veteran pitcher Danny Graves was released.
Colorado (12-9-1) also named Josh Fogg its No. 5 starting pitcher,
Chicago’s John Danks made a case for being named the White Sox fifth starter after shutting out Colorado for four innings, allowing just one hit.
With the way he threw today he should be on the ball club,” Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He threw strikes and attacked the strike zone. What I see I like.”
Gavin Floyd did little to help his cause by giving up a grand slam to Garrett Atkins in the sixth inning to suffer the loss.
Colorado’s Aaron Cook appeared in regular season form, going a spring-long six innings, surrendering two runs, one earned, and six hits, while walking two and striking out two.
Cook, the Rockies regular season opening-day starter, improved to 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA. He has given up only five earned runs in 21 1/3 innings over five appearances. Willy Taveras went 2 for 3 with a double and run scored for the Rockies.
Notes: Baltimore has claimed right-handed pitcher Sean Tracey off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. The former 8th round pick in 2002 had a 3.38 ERA a year ago in seven games.
