Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story leads the National League in both home runs (seven) and strikeouts (20). (Matt York, The Associated Press)
Chicago — Rookie shortstop Trevor Story still leads the National League with seven home runs, entering Sunday’s games. He also leads the NL with 20 strikeouts, eight in his last three games. He’s hitting .292.
But Rockies manager Walt Weiss is not worried, and although he might give the rookie a day off soon, Weiss doesn’t think Story has hit the wall.
“Typically with young players, I’m going to look for spots to protect them, and I will do that with Trevor,” Weiss said. “I still think Trevor is competing really well, and he’s still a dangerous bat at the top of our lineup. That’s why I’ve continued to run him out there.
“He’s been pitched tough by a couple of guys here lately, but I still think he’s competing well in the (batter’s) box.”
Weiss said he “doesn’t want to make too much” of the strikeouts.
“I think he still has a plan and he’s still sticking too it,” he said. “I think that showed up in his last at-bat yesterday.”
After striking out three times against Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, Story lined a ninth-inning double down the right-field line against Cubs reliever Travis Wood.
Gray watch: Weiss the team has not decided when right-hander Jon Gray will rejoin the rotation. After pitching two rehab games for High-a Modesto, Gray is expected to rejoin the team in Cincinnati Monday, but he’s not yet on the Rockies’ pitching schedule.
“We need to get him here in front of us, and then we will make a decision in the next couple of days,” Weiss said.
