COLORADO SPRINGS — Sky Sox manager Stu Cole has learned to take player transactions with the Rockies in stride, but pitcher John Maine was caught off guard Wednesday when the Triple-A team arrived at Security Service Field for a workout.
The Sky Sox play their first game tonight but will be without their projected opening starter, Greg Reynolds, who was called up by the Rockies on Wednesday morning to replace Ubaldo Jimenez.
“We were thinking it was going to be fun to start the season with the pitching staff we had,” Cole said. “We haven’t even got started and we’ve already lost one.”
Cole experienced 150 player transactions last season.
Stepping in for Reynolds tonight against Tucson will be Maine, once a member of the starting rotation for the New York Mets. He had been scheduled to start the second game.
“I personally don’t like the change, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Maine, who is trying to come back after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. “It probably isn’t going to make a difference, but I’m really routine-oriented. We threw for the first time yesterday since Saturday. Two days off and it feels as if it has been a month.”
Maine is looking to work himself back into shape so the Rockies will take a serious look at bringing him up at some point. He said he’ll enjoy a more subdued opening day in Colorado Springs than he did with the Mets.
“That’s New York City and the major leagues, and this is the minor leagues,” he said. “But there’s still a special feeling for the players.”
If the Rockies don’t have room on their staff for Maine by the end of May, he said he might opt out of his contract.
“Everybody always needs pitching,” he said.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
