TUCSON — Not that the Rockies have bullpen issues, but their regular closer is on the shelf indefinitely and his likely replacement has a 10.38 ERA in the Cactus League.
Hold it right there. Yes, Franklin Morales’ spring ERA is ugly. But stuff happens when you have one lousy outing in Arizona. Morales allowed eight earned runs in his second appearance, six on two three-run homers, but has settled down of late.
Morales, who converted seven consecutive saves with Huston Street sidelined in 2009, used his fastball and changeup for his third straight scoreless inning in Friday’s 10-4 win over Oakland at Hi Corbett Field.
“What you saw today? That will get hitters out in the ninth inning,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “Pounding the strike zone down in the zone and getting his breaking ball over in the manner in which he did, that’s how he got seven out of seven last year.”
Morales says he’s ready to assume the closer’s role until Street returns from shoulder inflammation, which should be in mid- to late- April.
“That’s the game,” Morales said. “I’ll be ready for any situation Jim Tracy gives to me. Nobody has told me anything. I just try to do my job.”
B.P. for Buchholz.
“My arm didn’t fall off.” That was Taylor Buchholz’s way of saying his live batting-practice session went just fine Friday morning.
It may have been only live B.P., but it was a major step for Buchholz, who underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2008 season. He threw 25 pitches — 19 fastballs, six changeups — and reported no pain.
Buchholz will stay at extended spring training but hopes to be in the big leagues by June.
Footnotes.
By the numbers: Jason Hammel, Jorge De La Rosa and Greg Smith have allowed three earned runs each in 14 innings for 1.93 ERAs. . . . Smith chalked up his third pickoff in 14 innings. Afterward, he texted ex-A’s teammate Dallas Braden: ” ‘Pickoffs: Greg Smith 3, Dallas Braden goose egg.’ He gets so mad.” . . . Opening-day starter Ubaldo Jimenez pitched 4 1/3 innings vs. the Rockies’ Triple-A team, allowing two runs. . . . Smith battled the A’s for five innings, allowing one run. Now for the down side: He was often behind in the count, throwing 47 strikes and 39 balls. . . . The Rockies struck out only three times. Said Tracy: “I continue to be very pleased with the approach to our at-bats.”
