SAN DIEGO — A day after his worst big- league start, rookie pitcher Alex White sat at his locker talking with Troy Tulowitzki.
Tulowitzki pointed out patterns White had fallen into, particularly against the middle of Arizona’s order. Catcher Chris Iannetta provided advice, emphasizing the importance of pitch sequences.
“It really has been a learning experience. I certainly don’t know it all,” White said. “Listening to veterans can only help me in my transition.”
White makes his third start today as a Rockie determined to implement a major change. He will incorporate a four-seam fastball more, believing it will lead to better command and less predictability.
“I don’t want to be known as a sinkerball guy. The biggest key to getting back to who I am is to use the four-seamer,” White said. “That’s a pitch I can throw at 94 (mph) to 95 with location.”
White walked six in his loss to the Diamondbacks. His sinker has been a weapon, but it’s not necessarily a strike pitch.
“I was trying to get out of trouble with the same pitch that got me into trouble,” White said. “I need to change that.”
White knows the strength in the flexor tendon in his right middle finger won’t fully return until this winter. But that, he insisted, shouldn’t prevent him from finishing strong.
“He has the stuff to be a dominant starter in this league,” Iannetta said. “He’s only going to keep getting better.”
Hammel time.
Jason Hammel’s eventful week will feature a return to the rotation. Following the birth of his child, Beckett William, the right-hander will return to Denver and start Tuesday.
Hammel was demoted to the bullpen a week ago after winning just four of his last 20 starts. Hammel has been effective as a reliever, holding opponents to a .188 average in 16 at-bats.
Footnotes.
Ryan Spilborghs’ successful Triple-A rehab stint “proved how much the injury affected me.” Bothered by plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Spilborghs couldn’t push off in his swing until recently. . . . Pitcher Aaron Cook spent his off-day fishing. He hooked and eventually lost a shark, providing chilling video as proof.
