There’s a growing feeling the Rockies’ bullpen will be leaned on heavily to write the final script this season. Uncertainty exists in the last two rotation spots, with Ubaldo Jimenez struggling and rookie Franklin Morales likely to make his major- league debut Saturday.
The Rockies are expected to welcome back former closer Brian Fuentes tonight after he rebounded successfully from a 13-pitch outing Sunday with Triple-A Colorado Springs. Fuentes hasn’t pitched for the Rockies since July 3 because of a strained lat muscle underneath his left arm.
Fuentes won’t return to the closer role, at least not initially, since Manny Corpas has converted nine consecutive save opportunities.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we had two guys capable of doing the job?” manager Clint Hurdle said.
Fuentes will fit into a late-inning role, likely against left-handers such as San Diego’s Brian Giles and Adrian Gonzalez. Left-handers have hit just .212 against him in 33 at-bats, with no home runs.
The Rockies’ bullpen has posted a 1.17 ERA during the past two weeks. That goes a long way in explaining why the pitching staff is 17-12 with a 3.50 ERA since the all-star break, second-best in baseball behind the Toronto Blue Jays.
Big week ahead
The Rockies aren’t downplaying the importance of their six- game trip through San Diego and Los Angeles. The Rockies are 2-4 in those cities this season, part of a 21-20 record against the NL West.
“It’s a big week. San Diego is ahead of us in the wild-card (race) and the Dodgers always play us tough,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “It’s a chance for us to make a statement.”
NL salutes Tulo
Tulowitzki took out the Cubs, then took home co-National League player of the week honors Monday. The rookie shared the award with Pittsburgh pitcher Tom Gorzelanny.
Tulowitzki doubled and homered in Sunday’s 6-3 victory. He went 14-for-29 during the past week with a baseball-best 27 total bases. He also had 12 RBIs.
Football fever
Before Jamey Carroll crushed his first grand slam Saturday, he received a thrill off the field. The infielder was a guest at a recent Broncos practice and met some players.
“Their workouts are really intense. I had never seen it that up close before,” said Carroll, a die- hard Indianapolis Colts fan who was able to talk shop with former Colts wide receiver Brandon Stokley. “I was surprised that a lot of the guys knew what kind of season we were having.”
