SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Walt Weiss is thinking outside the batter’s box this spring. It just might continue during the regular season.
Monday in a Cactus League game against the Brewers, the Rockies’ manager put starting pitcher Jon Gray in the eighth spot in the batting order, followed by second baseman Rafael Ynoa in the ninth spot. Hitting a pitcher eighth instead of in the traditional nine-hole is something Weiss’ mentor, former Athletics and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, used to do.
Weiss believes the Rockies have a deep, talented and versatile lineup, so he wants to take advantage of it. For example, in Monday’s game, Weiss had slugger Carlos Gonzalez hitting second.
“It intrigues me enough that I wanted to look at it a few times down here,” said Weiss, adding that it’s a strategy he might employ during the regular season. “I have played for some managers who have done it. The concept behind it is to put another position player in front of the middle-of-the-order guys.”
In Weiss’ thinking, the No. 9 hitter can be a player with a high on-base percentage and can act as a table setter for the top of the lineup. So, for example, the No. 2 hitter can come to the plate with a chance to drive in runs, instead of simply moving runners along.
“I like to have some thunder in that two-spot, as opposed to a situational guy,” Weiss said. “I like that when the lineup rolls over, it’s dangerous, as opposed to waiting a couple of slots for your big boppers.
“The length of our lineup allows you to do something like this.”
De La Rosa update. Left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa said his tight left groin is feeling better, and a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed no major problems. Still, the Rockies don’t know when he will be able to pitch in another Cactus League game — and the chances of him making his scheduled start in the Rockies’ home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 10 at Coors Field are looking slim.
“I don’t know when I’ll pitch again,” De La Rosa said Monday. “I’m just concentrating on getting better. I feel much better today.”
De La Rosa was in line to pitch Wednesday, but he won’t make that start. Instead, right-hander Eddie Butler is the scheduled starter.
Descalso still out. Utility infielder Daniel Descalso continues to be sidelined by a strained oblique that hampers his ability to swing a bat. He’s not sure when he will play again.
“I’m getting closer, but I’m still only swinging the bat lightly,” he said. “I still feel it a little bit, so we are being cautious.
“I’ve never been through this before, so I want to make sure it’s not something that I aggravate and make worse.”
The former Cardinal signed a two-year, free-agent deal with the Rockies for $3.6 million.
