There are no sacred cows anymore. Not with manager Jim Tracy praying for clutch hits every night.
Looking to spark the lineup, Todd Helton and Clint Barmes were given a breather, leaving Melvin Mora to start at first base for the first time this season and Jonathan Herrera manning second.
“Just giving them a breather,” Tracy said.
Helton is knee-deep in the worst slump of his career. It led to Mora’s new spot du jour and Tracy to concede that the team has considered using Brad Hawpe at first base, but not in the near future.
Helton has tried everything from lighter to heavier bats, new contacts and batting cage work during games to snap out of his funk. Yet, he’s stuck in a 3-for-37 rut that has dropped his average to .240 with one home run and 11 RBIs, including just three at Coors Field.
“I have dug myself a deep hole. But I look forward to the challenge of turning it around,” Helton said.
Helton’s hiatus will likely last only one day. Tracy was reluctant to sit him, but he needs production.
“The best plan is for Todd to hit. That’s what we all want to see,” Tracy said.
Mora, 8 for his last 17, is a man of many gloves. He has played well at third base, while struggling at second. He was prepared to fight the nasty sun glare during the early innings of Wednesday’s game.
“This is a new role for me, but I am ready to do anything they ask,” said Mora, who has also been shagging more flyballs during BP. “Todd Helton is going to hit. There’s no one else I would want up there in the ninth inning with the game on the line.”
De La Rosa update.
Jorge De La Rosa threw hard Wednesday and used all of his pitches, leading head trainer Keith Dugger to say “that’s as good as he’s looked since the injury,” which he suffered on April 25.
De La Rosa and reliever Taylor Buchholz will throw bullpens Saturday. De La Rosa will likely pitch two batting practice sessions before going out on a potential rehab assignment.
“I don’t think it would take more than two to three starts because my arm is strong,” De La Rosa said.
Footnotes.
Cherry Creek pitcher Benjamin Moridini and ThunderRidge left-hander Mitch Horacek were drafted by the Rockies on the final day of the draft. . . . Third baseman Ian Stewart returned to the lineup but will wear a left shin guard. . . . Eric Young Jr. (fractured right shin) is playing catch, hitting off a tee and riding the stationary bike. “It feels good. But I have to wait to the break heals or I could risk being out for the season,” Young Jr. said.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
