Aaron Cook grimaced a few times during his side session today, but it was because of tight tape, not his sore big right toe. The Rockies’ ace was able to throw all his pitches, clearing the way for him to make his scheduled start Saturday against the Florida Marlins.
“I feel fine. I am ready to go,” Cook said.
Cook was pushed back from Tuesday to Saturday after developing inflammation in his toe. Basically, it’s a turf toe. As protection, Cook will wear a cleat with a metal shank and his toe will have a rubber donut around it.
“And he won’t be taped as tight,” said trainer Keith Dugger with a smile. “It was a really good bullpen.”
While Cook will be back, the Rockies aren’t counting on Jeff Francis returning this season. He underwent shoulder surgery in February, and continues to make steady progress, throwing off a mound recently. However, Francis said today that he won’t be pitching in the big leagues this season.
The only way that could change is if the Rockies go deep into the playoffs, allowing Francis time to face batters in the instructional league.
Also, reliever Alan Embree received good news. X-rays showed that his broken right leg is healing. So there’s still a possibility he could return in September.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
