CINCINNATI — Rockies outfielder Seth Smith is no longer a starter. Any doubt was removed Tuesday at Great American Ball Park. Smith hit two homers in Monday’s 10-7 win over the Reds and watched Tuesday’s first seven innings from the bench.
“When you do that, and don’t play, it makes you wonder,” Smith said. “It’s frustrating. But I want to be in the lineup every day regardless of what happened the night before. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Smith is expected to be in the lineup today against right-hander Mike Leake. Eric Young Jr. started in his place Tuesday, with left-hander Dontrelle Willis pitching for the Reds.
“We are trying to find his niche,” said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, who inserted Smith as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning for Young and watched him catch Joey Votto’s line drive for the final out in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory.
Tracy envisions Smith as the player he was in 2009, when he platooned in the outfield and served as baseball’s best pinch hitter. This runs contrary to April. The idea was for Smith to get playing time against left-handers. But he has started only 20 times against them in his career. He is hitting lefties at a .234 clip this season (15-for-64).
Smith also is a victim of the Rockies’ disappointing season. They are taking longer looks at options, which is why Young has been leading off recently.
Need of relief.
After feeling soreness playing catch Tuesday, Matt Lindstrom (lat underneath arm) is expected to land on the disabled list today to clear a roster spot for starter Kevin Millwood. Lindstrom hasn’t pitched since Friday against Washington. Josh Roenicke pitched in his role Tuesday. Closer Huston Street is hopeful that he will be available tonight after dealing with arm soreness that left him unavailable.
Giambi update.
Jason Giambi has had no issues with his strained right quadriceps, leaving him prepared to rejoin the Rockies on Friday for the St. Louis series. Giambi has been one of baseball’s most productive players this season in limited action. He has 15 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs in 96 at-bats.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
