Lungs burning from a poor six-week start, the Rockies caught their stride this past week. Now, there’s a chance they could lose their starting catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a short suspension.
MLB discipline czar Bob Watson is looking at footage and umpire reports from Saturday’s game, in which San Francisco Giants left-hander Steve Kline drilled Torrealba with a pitch. Kline walked toward Torrealba, the two exchanged words, benches emptied, but no punches were thrown.
“I am reviewing the entire incident (not just Kline),” Watson said Wednesday.
Watson would not reveal a timetable for his decision, but with a new discipline protocol in place this season, an outcome is expected soon. Speaking publicly for the first time about the brush-up, Torrealba argued that he shouldn’t be suspended.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” said Torrealba, a clutch hitter for the Rockies the past two seasons who delivered a grand slam Tuesday. “He’s the one who started this and said stuff first (nearly three weeks ago). And he walked toward me.”
Watson confirmed he was aware of the “past history” between the two players. Kline took umbrage with Torrealba advancing to second base in the ninth inning of the Giants’ 15-2 Mother’s Day rout at Coors Field. He called out Torrealba afterward and said he wouldn’t forget the incident. Told of Kline’s complaint, Torrealba grew angry and asked hypothetically if Kline was going to plunk him.
“Fine, if he thought it was a bad play (to take second). He shouldn’t have said he was going to hit me. That’s why I said what I said, that if he hit me, I don’t think he can hurt me,” Torrealba said. “If he doesn’t make his comments, then none of this happens. That’s why I am not worried.”
A friend’s naming rights
Todd Helton was clearly moved that Mike DeJean and his wife Holly included Helton in their third child’s name. Ryder Helton Charles DeJean was born Tuesday. DeJean told Helton months ago of his plan, but the first baseman thought he was kidding.
“Mike is one of my closest friends. It’s an honor, no doubt,” said Helton, who visited the hospital Wednesday. “It’s hard to express how it makes you feel.”
Former Rockie could catch on
The Cardinals lost catcher Yadier Molina for approximately six weeks with a fractured left wrist. Former Rockie Gary Bennett will get the majority of playing time in Molina’s absence.
The Cardinals are considering signing or trading for another catcher, though Geronimo Gil (property of the Rockies) and Javy Lopez are not on their wish list.
Footnotes
Steve Finley started in place of Willy Taveras, who is bothered by a lacerated finger. Finley was just 2-for-13 in his previous nine games and experienced a frustrating night defensively on Wednesday. … Reliever Manny Corpas was expected back Wednesday from his uncle’s funeral in Panama.
