A small ray of sunshine peeked through on Jason Hirsh’s lost 2008 season Wednesday afternoon.
Hirsh, expected to be a part of the Rockies’ rotation this season until shoulder woes landed him on the disabled list and a season in Triple-A, pitched a scoreless ninth inning in his first appearance in the big leagues in 2008.
Though Hirsh said his ailing right shoulder won’t be completely healed until this fall when he rests completely, he was glad to get a little taste of the majors again.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs, more downs than ups,” he said. “Today was good. It was a relief, no pun intended.”
Hirsh went 5-7 with the Rockies in 2007 but injured his shoulder during spring training and has battled to regain form ever since. His plan is to get healthy and compete for a spot in the rotation next spring. “That’s what I strive for,” he said. “I consider myself a starter, but if this team needs me in the ‘pen, it happens.”
Bronzed big-leaguer.
Outfielder Dexter Fowler, called up from Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday, was busy showing everyone the bronze medal he won playing for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics. He’s also pinching himself that he’s on a big-league roster at 22.
“This is the dream, to finally make it,” Fowler said. “The next part is staying.”
Fowler made his big-league debut Tuesday night as a pinch runner in the 10th inning but got picked off. He got his first big-league at-bat Wednesday, facing the Giants’ Barry Zito as a pinch hitter in the third and flying out to right field. Fowler said he’s working toward being the Rockies’ starting center fielder next season. “It’s definitely realistic, but I try to keep things in perspective,” he said. “I just try and go out and have fun, learn new things and mature.”
Footnotes.
Be sure to circle Sept. 12. That’s the day former all-star second baseman Eric Young will officially retire as a Rockie. E.Y.’s celebration begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Sports Column, a bar near Coors Field. Fans are invited to attend. . . . Catcher Yorvit Torrealba underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee. He’s out for the season. In the first year of a two-year, $7.25 million contract, he hit .246 with six homers and 31 RBIs in 70 games.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
