PHILADELPHIA — What was hanging in the air ever since Monday night’s meltdown became official this afternoon.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said that struggling starter Jorge De La Rosa was taken out of the rotation and sent to the bullpen. He’ll be available for relief duty beginning Thursday in Chicago.
De La Rosa was scheduled to start Saturday in Chicago, and although Hurdle didn’t announce his replacement, it’s expected to be veteran left-hander Glendon Rusch, who’s allowed one run in 11 innings at Triple-A Colorado Springs.
“I understand, I just want to do what I can to help the team,” De La Rosa said.
In five starts, De La Rosa was 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA. Although he has good velocity, he’s struggled with command and control. Monday night, the Rockies gave him a 3-0 first-inning lead on Ryan Spilborgh’s three-run homer, but De La Rosa immediately allowed the Phillies back into the ballgame. He walked Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino before giving up a three-run homer to Chase Utley.
“I think Jorge understands the lay of the land, that he had five starts and his ERA is 9.00,” Hurdle said. “There is work to do. What I have tried to do with starters in the past who have been inconsistent is getting them in the bullpen where they get repeated reps but less volume.”
Here are tonight’s lineups
Rockies:
CF Willy Taveras
RF Seth Smith
1B Todd Helton
3B Garrett Atkins
LF Ryan Spilborghs
2B Ian Stewart
C Chris Iannetta
SS Omar Quintanilla
RHP Greg Reynolds
Phillies:
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
L Pat Burrell
RF Geoff Jenkins
3B Pedro Feliz
C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Adam Eaton
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
