After strong showings in the Futures Game, Rockies’ Double-A stars Dexter Fowler and Casey Weathers were chosen Wednesday for the U.S. Olympic team headed to Beijing next month.
It’s not certain, however, if they will ultimately participate. The Rockies approved both being named to the club. But as Team USA General manager Bob Watson explained, a call-up or a trade could prevent players on the 23-man roster from representing their country.
The club kept Jeff Francis from playing for Canada in the 2004 Olympics because it would have interfered with his August promotion to the big leagues.
General manger Dan O’Dowd couldn’t be reached immediately for comment regarding Weathers and Fowler.
“We have had conversations with the Rockies and obviously they are sellers right now instead of a buyers at the (July 31 non-waiver trading deadline),” Watson said during a conference call today. “Hopefully their two players will be with us, but we understand that teams do what they have to do.”
Fowler, considered the Rockies’ center fielder of the future, is hitting .325 with nine home runs and 54 RBIS in 54 games for Tulsa. Weathers, the team’s first-round pick in 2007, continues to draw raves for his 98-mph fastball. He’s worked as a setup man for the Drillers, going 2-0 with a 2.23 ERA in 36 games.
“I saw Casey throw in the Futures game. He’s having a great year. I like his makeup and arm,” said Team USA manager Davey Johnson. “Dexter Fowler is a great looking young outfielder who has torn it up in Double-A. I think he has superstar written all over him.”
Tulo on road back
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will begin a five-game rehab assignment in Double-A Tulsa tonight, leaving him in line to join the Rockies as soon as Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tulowitzki had his stitches removed in his lacerated right palm earlier this week.
Footnotes
With Aaron Cook pitching three innings in the All-Star game, his next start will be shifted to Saturday. Ubaldo Jimenez will start Thursday night at Coors Field against the Pirates. He is tentatively scheduled to be followed by Glendon Rusch, Cook and Kip Wells with the fifth spot in flux. Mark Redman and Jorge De La Rosa are candidates for that spot.
…Agent Scott Boras expects center fielder Willy Taveras, bothered by a quad injury, to avoid a stint on the disabled list after resting over the All-Star break.
