MILWAUKEE — Ubaldo Jimenez won 12 games for the Rockies in 2008 and 15 last season, when he went 25 consecutive starts of six-plus innings.
The next step in Jimenez’s evolution? Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun says it’s an appearance in the All-Star Game.
“Of course,” said Braun, when asked if he thought Jimenez could make his first all-star appearance. “I’d put his pure stuff up there with anybody in baseball. I’ve seen guys throw 97 (mph) at the beginning of a game, but he does it all night long.”
Jimenez an all-star? Braun’s teammate, pitcher Manny Parra, overheard the question and had one of his own.
“You’re talking about Ubaldo, right?” Parra said. “Is it even a question?”
Braun, your basic hitting machine who went .320-32-114 last season, said Jimenez, who beat the Brewers on opening day, isn’t the same pitcher who broke into the big leagues in 2007 and won 12 games a year later.
“When he first came up, he was more of a thrower,” Braun said. “You can see now that he’s really learned how to set guys up. You never want to be defensive at the plate, but when you face a great pitcher like that, you realize it’s going to be a battle.”
No easy Street.
Following a visit to Dr. James Andrews, closer Huston Street will take a more deliberate approach in his shoulder exercises, further delaying his return to the big leagues. The exam confirmed the Rockies’ diagnosis, but team trainer Keith Dugger wants to make sure Street strengthens his shoulder before attempting to throw.
Street had hoped to be pitching again by May 1, but that’s highly unlikely.
Update.
Jeff Francis played catch Tuesday with no pain in his left armpit. Francis, whose injury isn’t related to his shoulder surgery, will throw again today. He was shut down for only four days, so he doesn’t have to rebuild much arm strength. He’s scheduled to return to Tucson late next week.
Footnotes.
Even with Joe Bei- mel’s return, the Rockies have considered keeping Esmil Rogers as the long man, leaving Manuel Corpas in jeopardy of being optioned to Triple-A. . . . Aaron Cook isn’t a bit concerned about his Cactus League line: 0-2, 8.15 ERA, 30 hits allowed in 17 2/3 innings: “I don’t put much emphasis on my spring stats. It’s more of what I was trying to accomplish. My sinker is moving the way I want it to and I’m getting a feel for my breaking ball.” . . . Todd Helton all time on opening day: 21- for-53, .396. . . . Ian Stewart is the second player in major-league history to homer on opening day on his birthday. The first? The Phillies’ Scott Rolen, off Randy Johnson in 2000. . . . Taylor Buchholz threw 20 pitches off a mound in Tucson as he continues to make progress in his recovery from elbow surgery.
Jim Armstrong and Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
