There was no transaction or press release, but the Rockies’ best August acquisition sat in the clubhouse Tuesday. Better than anything available in a July trade or currently dangling from the waiver wire, Brian Fuentes possesses the talent to affect a pennant race.
Before he can help fortify a bullpen, however, he must start pitching again. That date grew closer Tuesday as Fuentes recovered well from a simulated game, leaving him in line to begin a rehab assignment later this week.
“I am not getting antsy, I have been antsy the whole time,” Fuentes said. “I am feeling better.”
Fuentes hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 because of a strained lat muscle underneath his left arm. He sustained the injury in his second outing after losing his closer’s job, a role taken over capably by Manny Corpas. Because Fuentes won’t return, at least initially, as the closer, it could shorten his minor-league health checkup. Manager Clint Hurdle admitted it might not be necessary for Fuentes to pitch on back-to-back days before he comes back.
“The season isn’t getting any longer,” Hurdle said.
Having Fuentes back against San Diego and Los Angeles next week would be advantageous given the complexion of their lineups. Fuentes, before he was a closer, operated as a left-handed specialist. He has held them to .212 average in 33 at-bats with no home runs this season. As it stands, the bullpen features Corpas with Jorge Julio and Jeremy Affeldt as co-setup men followed by LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Herges, Taylor Buchholz and Ryan Speier underneath them.
Spilly takes Rome
Ryan Spilborghs’ charmed season is now getting national attention. Spilborghs will appear on Jim Rome’s nationally syndicated radio show today. Rome, like Spilborghs, attended the University of Cal at Santa Barbara. Outfielder Matt Holliday encouraged Rome to get Spilborghs on during a previous interview.
“I had a roommate that used to imitate Rome, so I have been on Rome without ever talking to Rome,” joked Spilborghs. “I am going to have a take. It should be fun.”
Footnotes
Troy Tulowitzki and Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, top contenders for NL Rookie of the Year honors, are not strangers. They played against each other in college and in the Arizona Fall League. “I am a big fan of his,” said Braun. … Speier said he couldn’t believe how much work his delivery required a year removed from shoulder surgery. He was promoted Tuesday after posting 28 saves in Triple-A. Said Speier: “My fastball command has improved and pitching with that adrenaline (of the ninth) helped me.”
