San Francisco – Aaron Cook’s smile explained his health before he opened his mouth. The Rockies right-hander threw 46 pitches to hitters Tuesday, leaving him in position to soon rejoin the team, possibly without the prerequisite rehab assignment.
Not once did he feel a twinge in his left ribcage muscle, the first time he hasn’t experienced pain since injuring it against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 10.
“I felt strong. It was a very huge step,” Cook said. “The key is how I am (today) to see where we go from here.”
Given the Rockies’ position in the standings, they are considering activating Cook without a health checkup in the minor leagues. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca left Tuesday’s session impressed, admitting, “He’s close.”
The Rockies entered last night’s game 8-8 since Cook was shelved, replaced in the rotation by Elmer Dessens. Cook threw all of his pitches, and simulated a game by waiting for a few minutes before starting his second and third segments.
“I have been antsy to get back out there. I want to help. Hopefully I feel good (today) and we go from there,” Cook said.
Hill could spark change
What started as a way to honor the late Mike Coolbaugh could inspire a rule change. Rockies first- base coach Glenallen Hill began wearing a hard helmet while coaching first base after Coolbaugh was killed by a foul ball with Double-A Tulsa.
Oakland coach Rene Lachemann followed suit and now the idea of all base coaches wearing helmets will be addressed at the annual general managers’ meetings in November.
“It will be a topic of discussion,” said Joe Garagiola Jr., MLB’s senior vice president of baseball operations.
It could eventually include minor league teams, too, though rule changes require approval from the MLB Players Association.
“How many times does it have to happen before we do something?” Hill said.
Rockies adviser Marcel Lachemann said his brother Rene began wearing a helmet “because it is dangerous and he’s seen people hit.”
Footnotes
Reliever Jeremy Affeldt left the team Tuesday to be with his wife Larisa for the birth of their first child. Affeldt won’t return until Friday at the earliest. … An X-ray on Jason Hirsh’s broken right leg showed healing but not enough to begin aggressive rehab. He remains a bit of a longshot to return this season. … Center fielder Willy Taveras is on track to be activated Saturday. … Jeff Francis said he has no explanation for his lack of success at AT&T Park, where he’s 1-4. “It’s just one of those things like when a certain team has a guy’s number,” he said.
