LOS ANGELES — The waiting game is nearing its end for Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino.
The rehabbing right-hander is scheduled to pitch for Class-A Modesto beginning Friday. He likely will pitch in three or four games, and if that goes well he’ll be moved up to Triple-A Albuquerque.
“I can’t wait to start playing again; can’t wait to have fun again,” Ottavino said Tuesday before the Rockies played the Dodgers.
Ottavino had a brilliant start to the 2015 season before he underwent Tommy John surgery in May. He didn’t allow a run in 10 appearances, recorded three saves, struck out 13 and walked only two before his elbow injury flared up.
Ottavino, 30, doesn’t have a timetable for his return to the Rockies, but said he’s right on track for a successful comeback.
“The Rockies have done a great job with this,” he said. “I suppose they could have rushed me back sooner, but we have just waited to see how I’ve done through all of the stages. I think it’s been a perfect plan.”
Ottavino pitched twice in extended spring in Scottsdale, Ariz., throwing 25 pitches in a simulated game against fellow Rockies players Saturday and one inning vs. the Diamondbacks on Monday.
“I threw my fastball, slider, cutter, everything,” he said. “My arm feels good. Now I just want to work to make it stronger.”
Blackmon sits. Manager Walt Weiss continues to give his players scheduled days off, even if it means sitting a player on a hot streak. Center fielder Charlie Blackmon, in the midst of a stretch in which he has reached base in 32 consecutive games, was on the bench to start Tuesday’s game.
“We’ll end up with 28 days in a row, if you count the rain out,” Weiss said, referring to the washout in Pittsburgh on May 22. “So I’m picking a spot for all of the regulars.”
Footnotes. Carlos Gonzalez is on a tear. The right fielder has batted .418 (23-for-55) since May 23, second in the majors during that span. He has hit eight homers during the same time frame, tied for first. … Rookie Trevor Story hit his 16th home run Monday night, and his 33 extra-base hits led the National League entering Tuesday’s games.
