SAN DIEGO — September is both baseball’s most intense and hollow month. When a team is contending, hours become minutes, the daily grind a daily joy. Conversely, when a team has fallen out of the race, hours become days, the season trudging toward a finish with evaluation taking precedent.
The Diamondbacks and Rockies meet today at Coors Field, headed in opposite directions, in ways never imagined in March. Arizona is charging toward its first division title, focused on a magic number. The Rockies’ news revolves around the expanding roster.
Relievers Greg Reynolds and J.C. Romero will be activated today, with position players expected to follow in the coming days. Infielder Chris Nelson, catcher Wilin Rosario and catcher/third baseman Jordan Pacheco should join the team.
Pitcher Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to pitch today in Double-A Tulsa’s final game, just two weeks after having his appendix removed. If his strength is fine, Pomeranz, on a pitch count of roughly 60, will head to Denver. He can begin working out with the team, and a start has not been ruled out.
“I hope so. I don’t see why this would change anything,” the left-hander said.
Rosario has hit cleanup for Tulsa all season, slugging 21 homers. He has thrown out 34-of-89 runners attempting to steal (38 percent) this season. He’s at 41 percent during his minor-leaguer career.
Pacheco recently shifted to third base with the idea that he could play there and catch a few times a week. He’s hitting .278 entering the Sky Sox’s final game today.
Reynolds will work in long relief. There’s a possibility he could sneak in a start if Jhoulys Chacin is shut down later this month. Romero struggled in his first cameo with the Rockies. His presence allows manager Jim Tracy to use his two left-handers — Rex Brothers and Matt Reynolds — more judicially to protect them entering the offseason.
Footnotes.
Padres left fielder Jesus Guzman went 3-for-3 and has hit safely in 21 of 25 games at Petco Park this season. . . . Aaron Cook fell to 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA against the Padres. . . . The D-backs own an 11-4 record vs.the Rockies this season. They lead the division by seven games and have only three remaining with the second-place Giants.
