Before shortstop Jose Reyes returns to the Rockies’ roster — if he returns — the club is already juggling spots in the infield.
Colorado on Friday activated utilityman Daniel Descalso to make his season debut. To make room for him, the Rockies optioned first baseman Ben Paulsen to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Descalso missed more than a month after breaking his left hand in spring training, when he was hit by a pitch from Cleveland’s Tom Gorzelanny in a Cactus League game.
The veteran shortstop will fill a backup infield role, including at first base, manager Walt Weiss said. In a four-game rehab stint with Albuquerque, he batted .400 (6-for-15).
The Rockies had their hand forced with Paulsen. Descalso’s return left them needing a roster spot. And fellow utilityman Cristhian Adames is out of minor-league options. The Rockies can’t shuttle him up and down without designating him for assignment.
Paulsen in 29 games this season hit .258 over 70 plate appearances. But Mark Reynolds entered Friday hitting .337 in 102 plate appearances as he earned more regular playing time at first base.
“Benny has done his part,” Weiss said. “He’s done what we asked him to do. It wasn’t a punishment, sending him out, because he wasn’t playing well.”
Weiss’ plan this season was to play the hot bat at first base, between Reynolds and Paulsen. Reynolds hasn’t cooled off. The right-handed hitter has faced more right-handed pitching than lefties and is hitting .310 against them, .382 against lefties.
His batting average entering Friday led the Rockies, and his .392 on-base percentage trailed only Nolan Arenado’s .393. “As long as I keep swinging the bat and producing, hopefully they’ll leave me in there and let me play,” Reynolds said.
More on Reyes. Weiss said he isn’t worried about dealing with Reyes’ return from suspension — and any distractions it might attract.
“That’s part of my job, to manage a club, not just on the field but in the clubhouse in a variety of ways,” Weiss said. “I’ll deal with that when the time comes.”
The manager said he tried to keep his players informed through spring training about Reyes’ situation, even though the Rockies were not part of the investigation process.
“Our guys will handle it well,” Weiss said. “We get pretty good at compartmentalizing things as athletes. There are distractions almost on a daily basis, especially in this league when you perform every day for seven or eight months.”
Looking ahead
Mets RHP Logan Verrett (3-0, 1.27 ERA) at Rockies RHP Eddie Butler (1-1, 3.86), 6:10 p.m. Saturday, ROOT; 850 AM
With starter Jorge De La Rosa coming back soon and Jason Motte scheduled to join the bullpen next week, Butler needs a strong outing to secure his spot on the Rockies’ roster. That means making a good showing at Coors Field, where he has a 6.65 ERA and a .343 batting average against. Verrett will make a spot start Saturday in place of Steven Matz, who is being skipped because of left forearm soreness. Filling in for Matt Harvey last Aug. 23 at Coors Field, Verrett limited the Rockies to one run on four hits and a walk in eight innings of a 5-1 victory. Verrett pitched 12 scoreless innings over two starts while filling in for Jacob deGrom this season.
Sunday: Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.12 ERA) at Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (4-3, 3.09), 2:10 p.m., ROOT
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Rockies LHP Chris Rusin (1-1, 4.85) at Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia (3-2, 2.58), 6:15 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (3-2, 4.56) at Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (3-3, 6.80), 6:15 p.m., ROOT
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
