PITTSBURGH — Glendon Rusch is the first domino to fall, but others could soon follow. According to baseball sources, the Rockies are discussing additional personnel changes in the wake of the team’s disappointing 14-20 start.
The club is operating with a sense of urgency, further evidence arriving Friday when manager Clint Hurdle held a team meeting to stress the need for overall improvement.
The Rockies weren’t getting enough production from Rusch, who was replaced by Randy Flores. Flores will not take over as the longman. Matt Belisle now fills that role. For how long remains to be seen. Opponents are hitting .321 against the right-hander, and Joel Peralta is pitching well in Triple-A.
Flores is viewed as a situational reliever, if not a left-handed specialist.
“I am ready for whatever role they decide,” said Flores, who has rebounded from September shoulder surgery.
A look at the roster provides hints at possible tweaks. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, the centerpiece of the Matt Holliday trade, is tearing up Triple- A pitching and could fit as an extra bat on the bench. As could Daniel Ortmeier. The Rockies are flooded with outfielders, but adding Gonzalez at the expense of infielder Omar Quintanilla isn’t unthinkable since Quintanilla has only 14 at-bats.
Baylor out.
The Rockies landed in Pittsburgh without well-respected hitting instructor Don Baylor. He is out with an illness, and it is unclear when he will rejoin the team. He was not feeling well in the days leading up to the trip, battling a cough. Hurdle, a former hitting coach, will assume Baylor’s duties.
Footnotes.
Rusch was designated for assignment, giving the Rockies 10 days to trade or release him. If Rusch clears waivers, he’s unsure if he will return to the Rockies’ Triple-A team. . . . Flores was a full-time substitute teacher for three offseasons while in the minors. “The last year teaching ninth-grade physical science was enough to convince me that I better keep the ball down because I didn’t see myself being a teacher the rest of my life,” he said.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
