NEW YORK — With two months of data, it has becoming increasingly clear that the Rockies are prepared to use a four-man rotation entering spring training. It could have an elastic waistband, allowing for piggybackers to move in and out of starting roles, while increasing the pitch count from 75 if there are off days before and after outings.
The four-man could expand to five if necessary. And it could feature new coaches overseeing the project. It would not be a surprise if Bob McClure and Mark Wiley are working with the Rockies in some capacity next season. It’s hard not to see McClure, fired by the Red Sox because he was not a favorite of manager Bobby Valentine’s, as a candidate to be the pitching coach, while Wiley profiles perfectly for the soon-to-be-created pitching coordinator position.
The Rockies’ pitching has improved during their 11-5 stretch, though it’s still no joy for starters who work less than five innings.
The four-man rotation is the result of unconventional thinking. And the Rockies must keep an open mind if they have five legitimate starters. Health, which hasn’t been a team strength, remains central to creating options.
Injuries are not an explanation for the Rockies’ record. They were terrible in May with a full roster, save for Chacin.
Any chance of the Rockies recovering and contending, however, ended on operating tables and trainers’ rooms. Wednesday captured the Rockies’ dreadful luck. Troy Tulo witzki and Jason Giambi were cleared to begin rehab assignments in Tulsa, and no sooner were they preparing to catch a plane than Dexter Fowler was helped off the field after severely twisting his right ankle on second base in the fourth inning.
“It was just one of those weird things that happened,” said Fowler, who left the clubhouse on crutches. “It doesn’t feel good now, but I don’t think it will be a DL situation.”
It’s the same ankle that Fowler hurt May 23 in Miami when he caught his cleat on a poorly covered stair in the dugout.
That injury occurred after Jeremy Guthrie wrecked his bike when the chain popped and before Jonathan Herrera contracted a staph infection from his wrist watch. You can’t make this stuff up.
Tulowitzki was cleared by the Philadelphia doctor who performed surgery on his left groin and will begin a rehab assignment Friday in Double-A Tulsa, playing five innings. Veteran first baseman Giambi will join him, serving as a DH. Both will remain in Tulsa through Monday, then return Tuesday for re-evaluation in Denver before joining the Sky Sox.
This is nothing but a positive, especially the idea of Tulowitzki pairing with Josh Rutledge at second base.
“I want to get back, but if the process takes longer than people expect, I am going to do it the right way,” said Tulowitzki, who will likely rest Saturday and play Sunday and Monday. “In talking to Evan (Longoria), and guys with similar injuries, they said when they took their time, that is when they were good and avoided setbacks.”
Fowler hopes to avoid the DL. He’s enjoying a breakthrough season and could be in line for a long-term contract this winter. However, if it’s more serious than he thinks, his could join Eric Young Jr. and Michael Cuddyer (both out with oblique injuries) as Rockies who might not be back this year.
For all the conversation about four-man rotations, co-GMs and piggybacks, what the Rockies need to finish the season is a six-week supply of bubble wrap.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or
