CHICAGO — Dexter Fowler has never been a bench player in the big leagues. There’s always been an all-or-nothing sense to his presence: Either he’s near the top of the order and starting in center field or . . . what exactly?
Slumping offensively, Fowler did not start for the fourth consecutive game Monday night, prompting questions about his role.
“I have to continue to explore the progress Seth Smith is making,” manager Jim Tracy explained. “It’s very similar to the situation we dealt with last year with Yorvit Torrealba and Chris Iannetta. We have to do what’s best for the player and what’s best for the team.”
Fowler, who entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and remained in the game, going 0-for-1, is batting .233 and is hitless in his last 14 at-bats. He has walked seven times in his last eight games, but Smith has five multihit games during that time.
Fowler’s situation bears watching given the parallels to Iannetta’s. Iannetta struggled offensively last month, and when it became apparent he wasn’t going to play for long stretches, he was demoted to Triple-A to get regular at-bats.
“It’s a balance,” Tracy said. “But we are seeing Seth’s bat right now, and we have to play on that.”
Fowler has been working with hitting instructor Don Baylor on shortening his right- handed swing (.333 average), while becoming more consistent with his left-handed cut (.185).
The prescription has been tee work in the batting cage.
“It’s something that has always helped me to correct things,” Fowler said.
Street improves.
Closer Huston Street was able to walk around Monday with no pain in his strained right groin. But his injury will prevent him from getting on a mound for roughly a week, pushing his return to the Rockies from next Tuesday to early or mid-June.
“It’s getting better each day,” said Street, who was on a rehab assignment for his shoulder when he hurt his leg. “The shoulder is a nonissue. We will rehab the groin. That is the main focus.”
Footnotes.
Jeff Francis felt fine Monday, a day after his solid debut. “My arm was still there. Just normal soreness,” said Francis, who played catch Monday. Francis’ parents attended Sunday’s game and, yes, he heard his boisterous mom cheering. . . . As expected, Greg Smith will start Wednesday in Houston. The club required a sixth starter because of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
