Results tagged ‘ Carlos Gonzalez ’
Gonzalez scratched, insists it isn’t serious
The Rockies scratched outfielder Carlos Gonzalez from Wednesday’s lineup because of sore quadriceps on both legs. On a day when closer Huston Street’s shoulder is the talk of the day, the last thing the Rockies need is an injury to another key player.
Not to worry, said Gonzalez, who was replaced by veteran non-roster invitee Jay Payton in left field.
Gonzalez, who has hit .348 with a .400 on-base percentage and has led hitting coach Don Baylor to say he’s ready if the season were to begin now, said he was merely sore from a training session. Gonzalez is planning to make the bus trip to Peoria, Ariz., for Thursday’s game against the Mariners.
“It was from lifting, my legs got tight, so it’s no big deal — it will feel better tomorrow,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez, 24, said the confidence he gained from a strong second half of last season and a 10-for-17 performance in the 3-games-to-1 loss to the Phillies in last year’s National League Division Series has carried over to this spring. In addition to the high average and OBP, Gonzalez has three doubles, four RBIs, two walks and a steal against one strikeout.
“I’m feeling good at the plate, running and everything,” Gonzalez said. “I have a lot more confidence in msyelf. Everybody believes in me. That gives me a lot of motivation.”
Time to get started
It’s time to turn on the radio and dream of a regular season ahead. The Rockies will open Cactus League play today at 1:05 p.m. against the D-backs at Tucson Electric Park. Here is the Rockies’ lineup.
2B Eric Young Jr.
1B Paul Lo Duca
CF Carlos Gonzalez
RF Ryan Spilborghs
LF Seth Smith
C Chris Iannetta
3B Ian Stewart
SS Jonathan Herrera
RHP Jason Hammel
Here is the rest of the Rockies’ pitching schedule for today: LHP Jorge De La Rosa, RHP Manuel Corpas, RHP Juan Rincon and LHP Franklin Morales. The backups, in case any pitcher struggles, are right-handers Alberto Alburquerque, Shane Lindsay, Edgmer Escalona and Andrew Johnston.
D-backs pitchers will be RHP Billy Buckner, RHP T.J. Beam, RHP Bob Howry, LHP Tom Layne and RHP Leo Rosales.
Corpas leaves Tracy pleased, other notes
Right-handed reliever Manuel Corpas, trying to return from an elbow injury that slowed him last season and trying to regain the form he showed in closing for the NL Champion Rockies in 2007, had a throwing Saturday session that left manager Jim Tracy encouraged.
Corpas has been nursing a hamstring problem this spring, but that wasn’t a problem when he faced hitters Saturday.
“Let’s go back and realize what I was watching from the other side of the field and what I saw take place in 2007,” said Tracy, who managed the Pirates at that point. “This was a special guy.
“What I wanted to see today, which he showed me more than once is driving the ball down. This is a very effective guy when he’s down in the zone.”
– Two players in particular have stood out for Tracy.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit .297 with 32 home runs and 92 RBIs last season. To do that, he had to overcome a bad start, as well as some bad habits in the batter’s box.
Tracy said, “I remember looking him right in the eye and saying, ‘A 6-foot-4-inch shortstop with a 5-foot-10-inch offensive approach … The first thing that you have to do in order to hit is stand up. They throw you a breaking ball and your head is going [upward] and the ball’s going that way [downward].
Man, he’s over it now.”
Tracy also discussed left fieler Carlos Gonzalez. Like many special hitters, the ball sounds different, and travels differently.
Gonzalez can hit leadoff … or anywhere
By the end of last season, the Rockies’ best lineup had left fielder Carlos Gonzalez hitting leadoff and center fielder Dexter Fowler hitting second.
Gonzalez began realizing his power potential with 12 home runs after the All-Star break last season. Such a performance begs an interesting question: Does Gonzalez fit lower in the order?
Manager Jim Tracy can see that, but said Wednesday that Gonzalez is a much better fit atop the lineup the way this team is constructed.
“Am I sitting here saying to you that as we go along that it wouldn’t make sense that we give Brad Hawpe a much-deserved day off CarGo couldn’t hit fifth? He certinly could,” Tracy said. “But when you look at the structure of the club, this guy is tremendous — he’s a five-tool player. Depending on where you put him in the lineup, are you taking part of his game away from him?
“No disrespect meant to Todd [Helton], but I’m not asking Todd to steal bases. If Todd Helton is on base in front of a ‘Tulo’ [Troy Tulowitzki] and let’s say you put CarGo down there, then neither one of them would run.”
Gonzalez, 24, stole 16 bases in 89 games last year. He and Fowler, who turns 24 on March 22 and finished last year with 27 steals, could make a jump in that category after a year’s expereince,
Tulowitzki, Spilborghs and Hawpe arrive
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki showed up at Hi Corbett Field on Monday morning. So did outfielders Dexter Fowler and Ryan Spilborghs. The first full-squad workout isn’t until Friday, but just about everyone is in. The only regulars who haven’t been seen are outfielders Brad Hawpe and Seth Smith. But like the others, there is no concern about them being on time or in shape.
I saw Tulowitzki recently in Denver, and he said he was trying to curb is excitement because it’s so early and the season is so long. Tulowitzki, a high-energy player, is still trying to contain himself. But that’s a little harder to do now.
“Anytime my buddies or family ask if I’m excited for Spring Training to start, my answer is always I’m not as excited until I get here, and I see the guys, and I see the fields, and I see everybody that I basically go to work with,” Tulowitzki said. “That kicks it into the next gear.
“Being here and putting your stuff in the locker and being in this atmosphere gets you ready to start playing.”
Update: Was sitting and enjoying dinner when it hit me. There was one other position player I hadn’t seen as of Sunday — outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. Well, it’s the same as with Hawpe and Smith: He’ll be ready.
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