NEW YORK — Black and blue, sore and stitched up, the Rockies desperately need some downtime. Fortunately, the all-star break gives them three days off before they host the Pirates Thursday night at Coors Field.
“It’s a good time. We’ve got guys hurting that aren’t even on the DL,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “The three days down will allow us to catch our breath and hopefully re-collect our thoughts. And I think it’s good that we’re coming back at home.”
Injured shortstop Troy Tulo-witzki gets the sutures removed from his right palm today and seems on the fast track to returning. He’s eligible to come back next Sunday, but will almost surely go on a rehab assignment.
“He’s swinging now and he’ll take live batting practice (today), and his throwing is full go,” trainer Keith Dugger said. “We got some things mapped out. We’ll see.”
On July 4, Tulowitzki, angry at being taken out of the game, shattered a bat, leaving him with a deep laceration that required 16 stitches.
Todd Helton, on the DL because of a disc problem in his lower back, was given a shot of cortisone Tuesday to reduce pain and inflammation.
“Todd is feeling better, making some progress,” Dugger said.
Left-handed starter Jeff Francis, out since July 3 with soreness in his throwing shoulder, threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday. He’ll play catch Tuesday and throw another bullpen session Thursday. If all goes well, he’ll then go on a minor-league rehab assignment.
“I got a little bit fatigued at the end, but didn’t feel much pain at all,” Francis said of Saturday’s session. “It was a step forward.”
Taveras quandary.
Still gimpy because of a sore left quadriceps, center fielder Will Taveras was out of the starting lineup again Sunday. If Taveras isn’t healthy by the end of the break, Hurdle will likely put him on the DL.
Rotation motion.
How the starting rotation sets up after the break depends on whether Aaron Cook pitches in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. If he does pitch — in all likelihood he will — Ubaldo Jimenez will pitch Thursday against the Pirates, Glendon Rusch would likely pitch Friday and Cook would fall into the third slot on Saturday. If Cook does not pitch in the All-Star Game, he’ll pitch Thursday and Jimenez will pitch Friday.
Footnote.
Manager Charlie Manuel has always been a fan of Brian Fuentes’, so it should come as no surprise the Phillies are trying to acquire him. The Rockies are asking for top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco, telling inquiring teams they want one really good piece to move Fuentes.
Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
