Left-hander Edwar Cabrera had visions of pitching in the big leagues, but he didn’t see it coming this soon.
Tuesday, the Double-A pitcher was sitting in the Rockies’ clubhouse soaking it all in.
Although the Rockies haven’t officially announced Cabrera’s promotion to the major-league roster, he likely will start Wednesday’s game against the Nationals at Coors Field, taking the place of Alex White in the four-man rotation. White was demoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday.
With Cabrera’s promotion, all four members of the rotation would be left-handers.
Manager Jim Tracy said Tuesday that Josh Outman was pushed back to a Thursday start, clearing the way for Cabrera.
“I made it my goal to reach the big leagues this year. I was surprised when they told me. But I have been pitching with all of my heart and all of my mind to get here,” said Cabrera, who will wear No. 46.
Cabrera, 24, throws a wicked changeup, a good sinker and is developing a slider. He was 8-4 with a 2.94 ERA for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He has struck out 82 and walked just 23, but he served up 15 home runs in 98 innings pitched.
Splitting time between low Single-A Asheville (N.C.) and high Single-A Modesto (Calif.) last season, he led minor-league pitchers with 217 strikeouts.
Hernandez update. Catcher Ramon Hernandez, on the disabled list since May 25 because of tendinitis in his left hand, finally is making progress. He took 30 swings off the batting tee Tuesday.
“I really let it go today and I felt no pain,” Hernandez said. “I’m starting to get better.”
Scutaro doing fine. Infielder Marco Scutaro showed no ill effects Tuesday after getting drilled in the helmet by a 95 mph fastball thrown by Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg in Monday’s series opener. As a precaution, he was kept out of the starting lineup Tuesday.
“I feel fine,” Scutaro said. “My head was ringing when I got hit, but I knew pretty quick that I wasn’t badly hurt.”
Footnotes. Right-hander Juan Nicasio, working his way back from a strained left knee, pitched two innings of live batting practice Tuesday. He is scheduled to throw another live session Saturday and then likely begin a rehab assignment. … Entering Tuesday, the Rockies’ relievers had a 3.23 ERA in June, fourth-best among National League teams. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
WEDNESDAY Nationals at Rockies, 6:40 p.m., ROOT, 850 AM
Edwar Cabrera was in Single-A Modesto this time a year ago. Nolan Arenado figured to be the first star from that team to reach the big leagues. But Cabrera received the call, surprised by the news after going 8-4 with a 2.94 ERA for Double-A Tulsa. The last Rockies starter to skip Triple-A was Juan Nicasio. The two are dramatically different. Cabrera is a lefty with a brilliant changeup, a pitch he’s comfortable throwing in any count. He lives on the edge. The 24-year-old has allowed 15 home runs in 98 innings. But he pounds the strike zone, having walked just 23 while striking out 82.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming Pitching Matchups
Wednesday: Nationals’ Jordan Zimmermann (3-6, 2.89 ERA) at Rockies’ Edwar Cabrera (major-league debut), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Nationals’ Edwin Jackson (4-4, 2.91) at Rockies’ Josh Outman (0-3, 8.64), 1:10 p.m., no TV
Friday: Padres’ Jason Marquis (3-7, 5.67) at Rockies’ Jeff Francis (0-1, 7.23), 6:10 p.m., ROOT
Saturday: Padres’ Edinson Volquez (4-7, 3.82) at Rockies’ Christian Friedrich (4-5, 5.86), 5:15 p.m., ROOT
