Catcher Yorvit Torrealba hasn’t given up on this season, encouraged by the healing of his surgically repaired left knee. If Torrealba isn’t able to return, the next time he plays won’t be in spring training. It will be sooner.
“The worst-case scenario, I don’t get back, I will be playing winter ball to get my knee ready,” Torrealba said Saturday. “It will help me to test it, to get in shape and show everybody that I am 100 percent.”
Torrealba last played winter ball in his native Venezuela after the 2006 season.
The 30-year-old tried for three weeks to grind through a torn meniscus before the demands of his position made it impossible. His health is important whether his future is in Colorado or elsewhere. Chris Iannetta has taken over the Rockies’ starting job. Torrealba is in the first season of a two-year, $7.25 million contract. He will make $3.5 million next season, making him potential trade bait.
Hawkins reflects.
For much of the winter, it appeared that LaTroy Hawkins would return to the Rockies’ bullpen. But when the Yankees offered more money and a good opportunity, the right-hander left. A midseason trade to Houston has revived his season — he hasn’t allowed a run in 14 innings. He had only one regret about leaving the Rockies.
“I would have liked to be here on opening day so I could have gotten my (National League championship) ring with Todd, Tulo, Atkins, Hawpe, Corpas, the trainers, all my boys over there,” said Hawkins, who lifted GM Dan O’Dowd off the ground when he hugged him while receiving his ring Friday on the field.
“That’s the part I wish was different.”
Footnotes.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle put Clint Barmes at leadoff for the 19th time this season. Ideally, Barmes would be used elsewhere in the lineup. “But, he’s been the most productive we have had. I’d like to have someone with at least a .350 on-base percentage,” Hurdle said. He didn’t rule out revisiting Willy Taveras in the leadoff spot but isn’t about to change with the team playing better with him hitting second. . . . Houston’s Ty Wigginton, arguably baseball’s hottest hitter over the past five weeks, left after straining his left groin running to first base to lead off the game. . . . The Rockies plan for reliever Juan Morillo to join starter Franklin Morales in winter ball.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
