TUCSON — Ubaldo Jimenez heard the whispers. He read the papers. And yet being told he was the Rockies’ opening-day starter still came as a surprise. At least the way it unfolded.
Jimenez was called into manager Jim Tracy’s office at roughly 12:15 Wednesday afternoon. He found Aaron Cook there. Cook, in a sign of leadership, wanted to be in the room to symbolically pass the baton to the Rockies’ new ace.
“It was a gesture, saying, ‘It’s your time, I am proud of ya,’ ” Cook said. “Hopefully, 10 years down the road when he doesn’t get the start, he will do the same thing for the next guy.”
Jimenez was moved by Cook’s class.
“I had a lot of respect for Cookie before. I have even more now,” the 26-year-old Jimenez said. “As a pitcher, you dream about this. It is an honor. I look forward to the challenge of facing the other top pitchers.”
It’s long been understood that Jimenez would get the ball April 5 in Milwaukee. Jimenez went 15-12 last season with a 3.47 ERA, and he started the Rockies’ division series opener against the Phillies. Tracy, however, wanted the timing to be perfect. So it was no coincidence that he told Jimenez one day after he mauled the Dodgers.
“This is who he is. This is the guy we want him to become,” Tracy said.
Francis makes progress.
Take 2 came off without a hitch. Looking more comfortable after working tirelessly on correcting the stride in his delivery, Jeff Francis pitched three scoreless innings Wednesday against Kansas City. “I could feel the ball out front and kept it down for the most part,” he said. “I had a horrible bullpen (session). I almost hit Dexter (Fowler). But I got that first guy out, and that was a confidence builder there.”
Hip, Hawpe, hooray.
Brad Hawpe made a successful debut in Wednesday’s intrasquad scrimmage, doubling and throwing out Jonathan Herrera at second base.
The right fielder, who will play in today’s game, is encouraged by how his body has responded to a lighter weight (roughly 208 pounds, compared with 215 last spring) and healthier diet.
“It’s about feeling better. Having more energy and sleeping more,” said Hawpe, who eats 10 vegetables a day.
Footnotes.
Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle will accompany the Rangers to Hi Corbett Field today. Hurdle was hired as the Rangers’ hitting instructor last winter. . . . The Rockies’ promotional commercials, which include shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and first baseman Todd Helton, can be seen on the team’s website beginning this morning.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Royals 5, Rockies 0
At Hi Corbett Field
Hits: Jeff Francis pitched three scoreless innings, showing better velocity and command of his fastball. “That looked more like the Jeff we are used to seeing,” teammate Aaron Cook said. . . . Troy Tulowitzki remained hot offensively, smoking a double off Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke. . . . Utilityman Jonathan Herrera, a shortstop by trade, made a diving catch in right field. He played center field Tuesday.
Misses: The Rockies were uncharacteristically sloppy in the field. Second baseman Clint Barmes committed a throwing error, Hector Gomez let a groundball go through his legs and Ryan Spilborghs misjudged a flyball that went over his head. . . . Manuel Corpas continued his uneven spring, following a good outing with a rugged one. A scoreless game ended when Corpas allowed a double and sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, although Rockies manager Jim Tracy was relatively pleased with his fastball location.
What’s next: Rangers vs. Rockies, 1:10 p.m. today, Hi Corbett Field. Rockies’ Aaron Cook vs. Rangers’ Scott Feldman.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
