At 6-foot-4, with a wingspan of a condor and the ability to throw a 100-mph fastball, Ubaldo Jimenez is an intimidating presence on the mound. He also has a lot of moving parts, and when they get out of whack, Jimenez becomes more thrower than pitcher.
Lately, his mechanics have been off, something the Rockies hope they’ve fixed before Jimenez takes the mound against the Astros tonight. Jimenez was rocked in a 9-4 loss at San Diego last Saturday, pitching just 3 2/3 innings. He allowed six runs on two hits and five walks.
The Rockies hope extra time watching video, as well as back-to-basic sessions with pitching coach Bob Apodaca, are the antidote.
“I hope to see a pitcher who knows that his staple is his fastball command, first and foremost, and everything spins off that,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He got away from his fastball early, felt he had a good breaking ball, kept throwing the breaking ball, and then when he went to throw a fastball, he overreached for it.”
Jimenez was spectacular in July, going 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA. In August, he was 2-3 with a 5.79 ERA.
Tucson questions.
Rockies owner Dick Monfort said the team is keeping all of its options open regarding spring training in Tucson. The club had hoped to know by the all- star break whether funding for major renovations to the Hi Corbett Field would be approved or if they would be better off pursuing a deal for a new complex in Marana, east of Tucson. They’re still waiting.
“It’s as clear as mud,” Monfort said.
The Rockies have the right to break their lease at Hi Corbett if there aren’t at least two teams in Tucson. The White Sox are going forward with plans to begin spring training in Glendale, Ariz., next spring, though they haven’t been granted a release from Tucson Electric Park or found a potential replacement team.
Footnote.
Matt Holliday, last year’s National League batting champion, is looking to break out of a minislump. He has one hit in his last 18 at-bats, his average dropping from .339 to .328. He sits fourth among NL batting leaders.
Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
