SAN DIEGO — Every once in a while, Carlos Estevez likes to “bust ’em up,” as he puts it.
At Double-A New Britain last season, he reared back and unleashed a 101 mph fastball. During his five appearances for the Rockies this season, the 23-year-old right-hander has frequently hit 98 mph.
But Estevez’s ability to bring the heat is not the only thing that impresses manager Walt Weiss.
“Poise, a slow heartbeat,” Weiss said Tuesday, before Colorado’s game against San Diego. “He’s very confident, and we’ve seen that right away with him. I’ve put him in some tough situations. It didn’t take long to do that.”
At Arizona on Sunday, Estevez struck out the Diamondbacks’ Yasmany Tomas with two outs and the bases load in the seventh inning of Colorado’s 6-3 victory. Not that there haven’t been some hiccups.
Estevez’s 5.68 ERA over 6 innings is proof of that. But he has gained the confidence and experience to become one of the Rockies’ best relievers.
“It’s important to have their confidence,” Estevez said. “I’m just starting out in the big leagues, but they trust me. They know I can do what they ask of me.”
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Estevez, like injured teammate Miguel Castro, consistently attacks the strike zone with the fastball.
Estevez also has an effective slider and a changeup he uses against left-handers to keep them off-balance.
Injury updates. Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa (left groin) threw a bullpen session Tuesday at extended spring at the Rockies’ facility in Scottsdale, Ariz. He’s making steady progress toward returning, but Weiss said he expects De La Rosa will have to make one, possibly two, minor-league rehab starts before rejoining the Rockies’ rotation.
Castro, on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, has progressed from playing catch to throwing bullpens.
However, Weiss said the club will not rush the young, hard-throwing right-hander back into action.
Footnote. Last Thursday’s postponed Pirates-Rockies game has been rescheduled for Thursday, June 9, at Coors Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m.
Looking Ahead
Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-2, 2.73 ERA) at Padres RHP Cesar Vargas (0-0, 0.87), 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, no TV; 850 AM
Chatwood is the feel-good story of the Rockies’ early season. After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, the right-hander is pitching better than at any point since his debut with the Angels in 2011. He has given up no runs in two of his last three starts. Last Friday at Arizona, he dominated the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on five hits, walking three and striking out four in 6 innings. He has not faced the Padres since 2013. Vargas, 24, made his debut April 23 against St. Louis, allowing one run in five innings. He pitched 5 scoreless innings at the Dodgers last Friday.
Thursday: Rockies LHP Chris Rusin (1-0, 1.69 ERA) at Giants RHP Matt Cain (0-3, 7.00), 8:15 p.m., ROOT
Friday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (3-1, 3.89) at Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (3-2, 3.30), 8:15 p.m., ROOT
Saturday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (0-1, 7.98) at Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (4-1, 3.61), 2:05 p.m., ROOT
