LOS ANGELES — With his ballclub treading water, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle turned proactive before Saturday night’s game against the Dodgers. He demoted second baseman Jayson Nix, moved Todd Helton up in the batting order and put struggling starter Ubaldo Jimenez on notice.
The club designated Nix for assignment and called up right-hander Jose Capellan from Triple-A Colorado Springs to shore up an overworked bullpen. The Rockies’ bullpen entered Saturday’s game having pitched 89 2/3 innings, most in the majors.
Nix, their top draft pick in 2001, came out of spring training as the club’s starting second baseman. But he hit just .111 with 12 strikeouts in 45 at-bats. The Rockies have 10 days to trade him, release him or assign him to Colorado Springs. Clint Barmes, hitting .305 with nine RBIs, becomes the primary second baseman.
“One of the things that we shared with (Nix) was that this was his first look,” Hurdle said. “This needs to be treated as an experience. Most of the guys we have brought up have had a September call-up.”
Nix said he felt comfortable in the big leagues, but admitted he never played up to his potential.
“I think it was just a matter of getting a more focused approach and keep it as simple as possible,” Nix said. “I was never able to, exactly, settle in.”
Bringing up Capellan leaves the Rockies with just four bench players: utilityman Jeff Baker, catcher Chris Iannetta and outfielders Scott Podsednik and Ryan Spilborghs.
Colorado entered Saturday’s game hitting just .234 with runners in scoring position and ranked last in the league in two-strike hitting. So Hurdle juggled the lineup, moving Helton to the second spot and struggling Troy Tulowitzki down to the sixth slot.
“Incrementally, some guys have gotten better, but collectively as a club we haven’t hit a rhythm or flow that we need to get to,” Hurdle said.
He thinks Helton can help change that.
“Todd’s the kind of guy that sees pitches, walks, and is on base as much as anybody in our lineup,” Hurdle said. “It gets Tulo back toward the other side of the lineup where there’s not as much pressure.”
Jimenez lasted just 2 1/3 innings Friday night and suffered a terrible third inning.
“It’s not quality, and we need better than that for him to stay in the rotation, and he knows that,” Hurdle said.
