LOS ANGELES — Looking much healthier and rested, Yorvit Torrealba walked through the visiting clubhouse today at Dodger Stadium. He will be examined today by trainer Keith Dugger, but will not be activated.
The lineup card submitted for tonight’s game still includes catcher Paul Phillips as a reserve.
Manager Jim Tracy expects a resolution tomorrow, but admitted it’s not a certainty that Torrealba will take Phillips’ roster spot.
“You can’t just look the other way at what Paul (Phillips) has done for us. And what the starting pitchers have done over the last month,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “But you have to bear in mind a number of things and be sensitive to what Yorvit has been through. We are having discussions and leaving no stone unturned.”
The Rockies could explore trades with either Torrealba or Phillips, or risk losing one of them on waivers.
Chris Iannetta remains the starting catcher. Tracy ruled out carrying three catchers.
“I feel good, much better,” said Torrealba. “I got around 15 at-bats in Triple-A. Got some hits. I had my son with me in Colorado Springs. It was good.”
Torrealba has not played since June 2 when he left the team following his son Yorvit’s kidnapping in Venezuela. The boy was returned safely and has moved to the states with Yorvit’s wife and mother.
The Rockies worked out a special agreement with major league baseball to get a five-day rehab assignment for Torrealba to regain his stamina and strength. He caught in Triple-A and played first base.
“Helton had better watch out,” Torrealba joked.
The likely move would be to send out Phillips. The Rockies could also keep three catchers and send back an outfielder or reserve infielder.
The lineup looks different tonight with the Rockies Jason Marquis facing Dodgers’ ace Chad Billingsley. Seth Smith is in left and leading off with Ian Stewart back at third base and Carlos Gonzalez in center field.
The Rockies struck out 17 times in last night’s loss, their ninth in 10 games against the Dodgers this year.
The lineups:
Rockies
LF Smith
2B Barmes
1B Helton
RF Hawpe
SS Tulowitzki
3B Stewart
CF Gonzalez
C Iannetta
RHP Marquis
Dodgers
LF Pierre
SS Furcal
RF Ethier
3B Blake
1B Loney
CF Kemp
2B Castro
C Ellis
RHP Billingsley
