TUCSON — Three-fifths of the Rockies’ starting rotation has been shaky this spring, but the front end looks poised to deliver a solid one-two punch.
After ace Aaron Cook pitched an effective five innings Sunday, No. 2 man Ubaldo Jimenez was even better Monday. With his fastball spot on, Jimenez threw six shutout innings against Milwaukee in a 7-1 win. Eight broken bats and 12 groundball outs were testament to his effectiveness.
“That was my two-seam fastball,” Jimenez said. “I was getting ahead of the hitters and pitching well inside.”
Reynolds sent packing.
Despite an inconsistent spring and a 9.28 ERA, veteran innings-eater Jason Marquis remains penciled in as the third starter. Mercurial Jorge De La Rosa is slotted fourth. Earlier Monday, the Rockies optioned Greg Reynolds to the minors, leaving Franklin Morales and Greg Smith to battle for the fifth spot.
Reynolds “made improvement from last year,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “But we needed to go with the guys we feel are in a more competitive spot.”
Injury report.
Troy Tulowitzki (tight lower back) is scheduled to play a minor-league game today in Tucson. Brad Hawpe (hamstring) remains a few days away. With only 14 at-bats under his belt — he missed two weeks because of a cut pinkie — he knows he needs to get back on the field soon. But he said it would be unwise to push too soon.
The Rockies hope Garrett Atkins (groin) can play this week. If he can’t, he could miss the April 6 opener.
Footnote.
Hurdle said last week that he was open to Ian Stewart getting at-bats at second base. So it was no surprise to see him taking grounders at second during batting practice. Stewart started at third base and hit a triple, boosting his average to .297. . . . The Rockies optioned first baseman Joe Koshansky to the minors and reassigned pitcher Jhoulys Chacin to the minor-league camp.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Rockies Recap
At the plate
Todd Helton, his power resurgence looking like the real thing, led off the fourth inning Monday with a home run to left, his team-best fourth homer. Ryan Spilborghs (hitting .368) and Sal Fasano also homered.
On the mound
Closer candidate Huston Street left his pitches flat and over the plate, giving up three hits — including two doubles — in the ninth inning. Street’s spring ERA rose to 7.36. Manuel Corpas’ ERA is 1.50.
In the field
Finally healthy, Jeff Baker continues to get playing time at second base. He made the start there Monday. Baker, the subject of trade speculation, is hitting .227.
Up next
The Rockies travel to Mesa today to play the Chicago Cubs.
Scheduled Rockies pitchers: Franklin Morales, Corpas, Ryan Speier, Alan Embree, Greg Smith and Glendon Rusch.
Scheduled Cubs starter: Chad Gaudin.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
