SAN FRANCISCO — Rex Brothers is a headline waiting to happen. T-Rex . . . Brothers in arms . . . Oh, Brothers!
Get the keyboard ready, because arguably the most anticipated rookie reliever in franchise history has joined the Rockies.
“I feel like I am ready, sir,” Brothers said Saturday. “I learned a lot from spring training and from being in Triple-A.”
Necessity and adversity prompted the move that many had been calling for since Franklin Morales began nose-diving a month ago.
Matt Daley landed on the disabled list (shoulder soreness) and is likely to have an MRI on Monday. Brothers was a steamroller in Triple-A, fanning 45 batters in 28 innings. He finally gave up some runs in his last few outings and handled the failure with maturity, leading to the promotion.
“With Matt Reynolds, if Brothers evolves like we hope he can, we could have the most dynamic left-handed relievers in the game,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.
Brothers will be eased in initially, but Tracy has no plans to use him only as a left-on-left specialist.
Brothers’ fastball reaches 98 mph. And he has a devastating slider, which he used to strike out Josh Hamilton on the American League MVP’s rehab assignment and National League MVP Joey Votto in spring training. Brothers said his recent tough outings should help him.
“It reminded me that I have to lock in early and not go through the mental swings,” said Brothers, a human fire hydrant at 6-foot, 205 pounds. “I need to come out in attack mode.”
Fowler’s future. Dexter Fowler lost his leadoff spot in the lineup recently. Is his roster spot next? Tracy failed to go there but admitted Fowler’s offense has “become a concern.”
Eric Young Jr. replaced Fowler in center field Saturday, hitting leadoff. Fowler leads the Rockies with 66 strikeouts and has batted just .226 since May 1, leading to speculation that Triple-A outfielder Charlie Blackmon will be promoted soon.
Blackmon has played primarily right field for the Sky Sox. Tracy has yet to discuss with Carlos Gonzalez the possibility of using him in center field, something the team prefers not to do to preserve his legs.
Footnotes. Troy Tulowitzki had two hits in his previous four games at AT&T Park before his 3-for-4 performance. . . . CarGo was thrown out trying to steal second base for the first time in 2011.
