Rotation seems a bit misleading. The Rockies have a carousel, with new and even old faces changing places.
On Tuesday, the Rockies attempted to add another piece, failing in their bid to land free agent Brett Tomko. The veteran right-hander signed with the San Diego Padres and is expected to immediately join their rotation as a fifth starter.
Colorado instead brought up veteran Mark Redman from Triple-A Colorado Springs and will activate him this weekend as a long reliever, leaving him a candidate for a spot start Tuesday in Philadelphia.
Injuries and ineffectiveness have created endless adjustments over the past month. Manager Clint Hurdle juggled the rotation again before the Giants game, moving Jeff Francis to Saturday and pushing Josh Fogg to Sunday, giving him an extra day to alleviate shoulder stiffness.
“Obviously we can’t have anyone else getting hurt at this point,” Fogg said. “I think I would have been fine to go Saturday, but I might have only been at 85 percent, afraid to completely let it go.”
Elmer Dessens kept his Friday assignment, but must improve to stay in the rotation now that Redman has arrived. Redman’s been a human Atlas this season, pitching for the Braves, the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Blue Jays’ farm team and ultimately the Sky Sox. Redman, 33, went 0-4 with an 11.63 ERA with the Braves before getting released.
“I am open to whatever they need me to do,” said Redman, a 2006 all-star with the Royals.
Buchholz requires rest
Before Taylor Buchholz can give the bullpen a shot in the arm, he required a shot in the arm. Buchholz said he had a cortisone shot for his elbow, which should allow him to throw a bullpen session Friday and be available in Philadelphia on Monday.
“I played catch (Tuesday before the shot) and it felt the best it has so far,” said Buchholz, whose MRI showed no structural problems.
Buchholz’s uncertainty, in part, led to the addition of left-hander Dan Serafini, Denny Bautista and Redman. All are capable of pitching multiple innings.
Footnotes
Closer Manny Corpas’ entrance has more rhythm. He chose “Impacto” by Big Daddy Yankee to accompany his arrival in the game. “It’s a song I like. I don’t need anything on the scoreboard.” … Willy Taveras said he could have started Tuesday, but understood the team’s decision to rest him.
