ANAHEIM, Calif. — Soon, Jim Tracy must make a tough decision and perhaps have to “ruffle a few feathers,” as the manager put it Sunday.
Barring any setbacks, left-hander Jorge De La Rosa (finger injury) is set to rejoin the rotation July 7, meaning somebody will have to go.
De La Rosa pitched well Sunday in a rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs. He went six innings, allowed one earned run on three hits, struck out five and walked one. He threw 83 pitches, 53 for strikes.
With sinkerballer Aaron Cook pitching better of late, and assuming Jason Hammel’s last poor outing was an aberration, it could mean a trip down to Triple-A for rookie Jhoulys Chacin, who flashed brilliance at times Sunday when he struck out a career-high 12 in the Rockies’ loss to the Angels.
But for all of his talent, Chacin still has his rookie moments. Plus, he has options and could continue in a starting role for the Sky Sox.
“His stuff is really good,” catcher Chris Iannetta said. “He’s along the line of (Ubaldo) Jimenez in that he can ‘outstuff’ guys. He doesn’t have to have great location to get guys out. But I think you saw through the course of today’s game that location does matter. The last few innings, when he didn’t have good fastball command, that’s when he gets in trouble.”
Tracy refuses to rush his decision about the rotation for the second half of the season.
“I think it’s very important to take it a day at a time and let everybody keep pitching,” Tracy said. “Because just about that time you feel compelled to say something — which I’m not at this point — the game itself takes care of the decision for you.”
Catching praise.
Tracy was pleased to see catcher Chris Iannetta hit a homer and a double Friday night against the Angels, but what’s most impressed Tracy is Iannetta’s growth behind the plate.
Certainly one of the smartest players on the club, Iannetta is an adroit student of opposing hitters. But he’s not as good at making changes during the game and on the fly. That’s changing.
“Chris has done a lot of hard work, in going back to the minors,” Tracy said. “In my opinion, I think he’s caught some of his best games since I became a coach here. I cannot talk enough about how pleased I am with what he’s done back there.”
Tracy said Iannetta has become more creative behind the plate.
“It’s not only taking the plan from the clubhouse to the game, but it’s him involving himself and making adjustments on the fly based on what the opposition is doing,” Tracy said.
Footnote.
Brad Hawpe (bruised ribs) missed his second straight game. He’s expected to play during the Padres series, but there is a slight chance he will be put on the disabled list if his discomfort continues.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
