PHOENIX — Jose Reyes officially started collecting a paycheck from the Rockies on Sunday when the season opened. But the embattled shortstop, who missed all of spring training after offseason domestic violence charges, is nowhere in sight.
The Rockies still don’t know when Major League Baseball will rule on Reyes’ likely suspension.
“We’ve very much been bystanders, waiting on this policy like everybody else,” general manager Jeff Bridich said. “I don’t know if there’s a ticking clock right now. They don’t give us that kind of information.”
Last week, prosecutors in Hawaii dropped the charges a week before Reyes was set for trial because his wife refused to testify. But MLB will work off its new domestic violence policy to produce a suspension against him.
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Reyes, the Rockies’ highest-paid player, is set to make $22 million this season, and $47 million over the next two years, as he plays out his contract in Colorado.
The Rockies have moved forward without Reyes. They started rookie Trevor Story at shortstop in the season opener Monday. He homered in his second at-bat against Zack Greinke.
“That’s some of the flexibility we want,” Bridich said. “There are punches you don’t see coming. You have to roll with them and prepare for that. … Whether it’s in the absence of Troy Tulo- witzki or Jose Reyes, we’re well positioned to adjust and succeed at that position.”
A sweet start. Mark Reynolds, the veteran first baseman who signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Rockies as a free agent, made an opening-day start against Greinke despite being a right-handed hitter.
Manager Walt Weiss has insisted that first base will not be a platoon involving Reynolds and lefty Ben Paulsen.
“He told me from the day I signed he would play the hot bat,” Reynolds said of Weiss. “And I had a pretty good spring training. … I understand my role on this team. It makes it that much sweeter he put me out there on opening day against Zack Greinke.”
“More pumped up.” Lefty Jake McGee wants to add a curveball to his majority-fastball approach as he takes over the Colorado closer job. But he won’t change his mind-set, he said.
McGee pitched mostly through eighth innings for Tampa Bay last season. The Rockies traded for him during the offseason and, with Adam Ottavino out after Tommy John surgery and Jason Motte on the shelf because of a shoulder injury, McGee will be the closer until told otherwise.
“It gets me more pumped up,” McGee said of pitching in the ninth. “I feel like I perform a little better in the ninth inning with extra adrenaline. And I can slow things down when I want to.”
Descalso on the DL. Utility infielder Daniel Descalso, who was hit by a pitch and broke his hand in spring training, went on the disabled list for the first time in his seven-year career. “That’s frustrating,” he said. “You put all that work into spring and then this.” He has worn a brace for a week since a cast was removed. A doctor’s appointment next week will let him know if the brace can come off. … DJ LeMahieu’s hit in the third inning off Greinke was the 500th hit of his career.
Looking ahead
Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (8-6, 4.23 ERA in 2015) at Diamondbacks RHP Shelby Miller (6-17, 3.02), 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, ROOT; 850 AM
Bettis end up as the Rockies’ best pitcher in 2015. He possesses poise, fastball command and a curveball that he’s not afraid to throw in a tough count. Bettis was 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts vs. the D-backs last season. Arizona acquired Miller in an offseason trade that cost the team a lot in terms of future talent, so he’s expected to come through — big time. Miller is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA in five starts against Colorado. As a Cardinals starter, he dominated Colorado on May 10, 2013, retiring 27 consecutive batters and recording 12 strikeouts after giving up a game-opening single to Eric Young Jr.
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (did not play in 2015) at Diamondbacks RHP Shelby Miller (6-17, 3.02 ERA), 7:40 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Off
Friday: Padres RHP Colin Rea (2-2, 4.26 in 2015) at Rockies RHP Jordan Lyles (2-5, 5.14), 2:10 p.m., ROOT
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
