TUCSON — The pain stings, but doesn’t compare with the aching uncertainty. Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis threw a side session Tuesday and is no closer to making a decision on shoulder surgery, saying he will throw quite a few more times off a mound and face hitters before making any decision.
“It’s been tough. I lie awake every night thinking about it,” Francis said of the possibility of having potential season-ending surgery to repair a likely torn labrum flap.
Francis remains a month behind in his throwing program because of the injury. He continues to see just enough progress to continue with the experiment, even if all signs point to his first operation. He compared the current feeling in his shoulder to the discomfort he experienced last summer before landing on the disabled list.
“In my mind there’s still reason to wait. But I really don’t want to go through pitching like that again,” Francis said. “But if I can get the ball to the glove, I guess, we’ll see. When I warmed up my first few throws, it hurt pretty good and it loosens up. And there’s a little bit of aching. That’s what I have to go on.”
Barmes, Smith getting shots at starting.
Manager Clint Hurdle removed any doubt Tuesday that Clint Barmes is the Rockies’ starting second baseman, with Jeff Baker the No. 2 man.
“Clint Barmes had a very strong season for us there last season,” Hurdle said. “Going in, he’s going to get first look. Jeff Baker did some very good things when he was there. Depending on what kind of lineup we want to throw out there as far as matchups go, I think you will see playing time with both of them.”
Seth Smith remains the top candidate for the starting job in left field, though Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Murton, Ian Stewart and Baker will get innings there this spring.
“I think we’re going to give Seth Smith — along the lines of Clint Barmes — the opportunity to run out there first and see where he can take it,” Hurdle said.
De La Rosa staying in camp.
Jorge De La Rosa chose team over country Tuesday, squashing any chance he will pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico. “I wanted to play, but I wouldn’t get the same work in I need,” he said. “I need to stay here.”
De La Rosa originally hadn’t planned on playing this winter, in order to focus on securing his rotation job. But circumstances changed with Francis’ injury, moving De La Rosa from the fifth spot to fourth in the rotation, leaving him tempted to pitch for Mexico manager Vinny Castilla in the WBC.
Infielder Omar Quintanilla remains a candidate to play in the WBC, but won’t go if he has no chance of starting.
Footnotes.
Baker was held out of batting practice Tuesday after receiving a cortisone shot in his elbow. . . . Relief pitcher Taylor Buchholz has been bothered by back pain, but doesn’t expect to miss any time. . . . Hurdle didn’t predict where prospect Dexter Fowler will begin the season, saying only, “Wherever he goes, he needs playing time. I want to make that loud and clear.” . . . Scott Podsednik held a mini-baserunning clinic with Barmes and Ryan Spilborghs in the morning, showing them how to get a better jump off first base on steal attempts.
Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
