Cruel game, baseball. To wit: Esmil Rogers pitched two scoreless innings Thursday, then was told he was being optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The Rockies didn’t announce the transaction, but Rogers confirmed it. Not that he had to. Not after Joe Bei- mel arrived in the clubhouse wearing a suit for the charter flight to Atlanta.
“Ready to go,” Beimel said. “I feel great. Everything felt good. All my pitches are working, so it’s definitely time.”
Beimel, who allowed two hits and no runs in 2 2/3 innings in Triple-A, will give the Rockies a third left-hander in the bullpen, joining Randy Flores and closer Franklin Morales.
Said Beimel, “I’m just going to try to fit in and help the team win a few games.”
CarGo, Hawpe on the trip.
Another member of the Sky Sox, Eric Young Jr., was told to be ready for the trip, but it looks like he won’t be needed. Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Carlos Gonzalez (strained hamstring) and Brad Hawpe (strained quadriceps) figure to be able to play against the Braves.
Gonzalez, who has an RBI or a run in every game he has played this season, is hitting .393. He showed noticeable improvement Thursday, head trainer Keith Dugger said.
“I worked him hard, and he did good,” Dugger said. “I’d like to see one more day like that before (he plays).”
From the Rx files.
Left-hander Jeff Francis played catch from 90 feet without pain, clearing the way to travel to Tucson on Thursday night. He’ll begin throwing off a mound this weekend. He’s facing roughly a month to rebuild his arm strength.
“At least I’m not going four months between throwing,” said Francis, referring to last season’s shoulder surgery.
Closer Huston Street, meanwhile, played long toss Thursday in Tucson and reported no discomfort in his right shoulder.
Footnotes.
Dexter Fowler has played in his hometown of Atlanta multiple times, but this trip carries significance. His grandparents are traveling from Florida to see him play in the big leagues for the first time. “It’s going to be cool,” said Fowler, who has a residence in downtown Atlanta. . . . Todd Helton wasn’t at Coors Field on Thursday because of flulike symptoms. He is expected to play in the Atlanta series. . . . Jason Giambi went 0-for-3 in Helton’s absence. At 0-for-8, he’s the only position player on the roster without a hit.
