SAN DIEGO — Aaron Cook knows the plan. He also knows it’s not written in pen. The Rockies’ right-hander threw a 25-pitch side session this morning at Petco Park, and still believes he will pitch in a Major League game — if not two — this season, though it’s not currently mapped out that way.
“That’s my goal,” said Cook, out since Aug. 22 with a strained right shoulder. “I understand they are trying to be cautious, but I believe I will be in a big-league game based on how I feel right now.”
Manager Jim Tracy explained Saturday that Cook would go to the instructional league and face hitters, with no plan to have him return during the regular season. If he doesn’t, it makes it highly unlikely that Cook would be in the Rockies’ playoff rotation. And he would be in jeopardy of being left off the postseason roster in the first round, though he could be used as a long reliever.
Cook isn’t ready to concede that point. He will throw to hitters Tuesday in a simulated game at AT&T Park for the first time since his injury. That game will include Jeff Francis, Huston Street and possibly Jose Contreras. When the Rockies travel to Phoenix on Thursday, Cook and Francis are expected to go to Tucson for the instructional league.
“I think I will a lot more after going against hitters (Tuesday),” Cook admitted.
The way the rotation is mapped out, there’s an open spot available for Sept. 25 against the Cardinals at Coors Field. That represents a potential for either Cook or Jose Contreras to start. For Cook, it could serve as an audition to get him back into the postseason rotation that is set up currently to include Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Marquis and Jorge De La Rosa in a five-game first-round series.
In today’s series finale, Marquis will try to improve to 3-0 against the Padres’ this season. With a left-hander throwing, manager Jim Tracy flooded the lineup with right-handers. Third baseman Ian Stewart is out, and his back is a little stiff but he will be available to play. Also, catcher Yorvit Torrealba’s jammed knee feels better. Brad Hawpe is not starting, but that’s not an indication that Tracy has given up on him.
Hawpe is 3-for-6 in the series, including two opposite-field singles against Padres closer Heath Bell.
“He brought us to this dance. I am not leaving him out,” said Tracy of Hawpe. “I am very encouraged by what I have seen (this weekend). He’s always one swing away from being hot.”
A look at the lineups before the Rockies pack up and head to San Francisco for a critical three-game series this week against their wild-card competition.
Rockies (82-61)
CF Dexter Fowler
LF Seth Smith
1B Todd Helton
SS Troy Tulowitzki
3B Garrett Atkins
RF Ryan Spilborghs
C Yorvit Torrealba
2B Clint Barmes
RHP Jason Marquis
Padres (64-79)
SS Everth Cabrera
2B David Eckstein
1B Adrian Gonzalez
3B Chase Headley
RF Will Venable
LF Drew Macias
C Nick Hundley
CF Tony Gwynn Jr.
LHP Clayton Richard
