Right-hander Taylor Buchholz, one of the best setup men in the National League last season, is making steady progress on his way back from injury.
Out since spring training with a strained ligament in his right elbow, Buchholz rejoined the Rockies on Sunday. He has been rehabbing in Tucson, where he has thrown three bullpen sessions, tossing 30-35 pitches. However, he was limited to throwing fastballs in those sessions. The next step is throwing changeups, and then curveballs, off the mound.
“That will be the big test,” Buchholz said. “I have been playing catch with the curveball, and I haven’t thrown that hard. But I’m making good progress.”
The Rockies brought him back so they could evaluate his progress.
“I think they are happy with things, but they just want to get some more eyes on me right now and see how things are going,” he said.
There is no hard timeline for when Buchholz would return.
“By the end of the month, we might try some simulated games, but I’m not exactly sure,” he said.
Daley dose.
Rookie reliever Matt Daley continues to impress. He threw a one-two- three seventh inning, marking the sixth time in seven big-league appearances he has blanked the opposition. His ERA sits at 1.29, and he continues to gain the trust of manager Clint Hurdle.
“He throws strikes and pounds the zone,” Hurdle said. “He’s handled left-handers well. He’s become a piece out there late to put into a game when we have a lead.”
Smith’s pitch.
Seth Smith’s play is likely to earn him more playing time. He started in left field ahead of Ryan Spilborghs and went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Smith is hitting .310 and made two excellent plays in the outfield.
Footnotes.
Huston Street converted the 98th save of his career. He has thrown seven straight scoreless innings. . . . At Triple-A Colorado Springs, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez continues as an RBI machine. His two-run homer Saturday gave him 32 RBIs.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Today:
Off
Tuesday:
Astros’ Mike Hampton (1-3, 4.91 ERA) vs. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (2-4, 5.45) 6:40 p.m., FSN
Wednesday:
Astros’ Russ Ortiz (2-1, 5.91) vs. Rockies’ Jason Marquis (4-2, 3.92), 6:40 p.m., FSN
Thursday:
Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez (3-2, 1.80) vs. Rockies’ Jason Hammel (0-1, 5.40), 1:10 p.m., FSN
Friday:
Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (0-3, 3.53) vs. Pirates’ Paul Maholm (3-1, 4.06), 5:05 p.m., FSN
