Results tagged ‘ Chris Nelson ’
Big day for Rockies’ Moscoso in Tucson
The Rockies and Padres are gearing up for a Spring Training exhibition at Kino Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. — the place known as Tucson Electric Park back when the Rockies played there. This is the game that was called off because of bad weather a few days ago. This is big for Tucson, which lost all of its teams a couple of years ago. The fans should have a chance to see many members of the Triple-A Tucson Padres.
It’s even bigger for Rockies right-hander Guillermo Moscoso, who is fighting for a spot on the Rockies’ pitching staff and trending upward.
Moscoso, 28, obtained along with lefty Josh Outman from the Athletics for outfielder Seth Smith during the offseason, struggled in his frist two Cactus League appearances. He gave up four runs on five hits and two walks against the Cubs in his first appearance, and one run but four hits and a walk against the White Sox the next time he pitched. Granted, he was more concerned with putting pitches over the plate than anything else, but trying to make the team and possibly the starting rotation calls for more than that.
But Moscoso delievered in his last outing, throwing three scoreless innings against the Reds, striking out three and holding them to one hit and no walks. It looks as if rotation spots will go to Jeremy Guthrie, Jhoulys Chacin, Drew Pomeranz and, it seems likely, Juan Nicasio, who is making a dramatic return from a broken neck. Moscoso appears to be battling power pitcher Tyler Chatwood and 49-year-old lefty Jamie Moyer. A righty, Alex White, is in the mix; White will pitch in Tucson today. Outman was affected by the weather earlier in he week and needs to rebuild his stamina, so he might be more in line for a bullpen job.
Moscoso can work out of the rotation and the bullpen. If he continues to gain steam, he gives the Rockies a versatile arm.
Here is the lineup for the Rockies today in Tucson:
Eric Young Jr., CF
Jonathan Herrera, SS
Jordan Pacheco, C
Chad Tracy, 1B
Tyler Colvin, RF
Chris Nelson, 3B
Charlie Blackmon, LF
DJ LeMahieu, 2B
Guillermo Moscoso, RHP
Don’f forget, the Rockies will face the Giants at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick tonight, with Moyer pitching. Guthrie will pitch in a nighttime Minor League game at the complex.
A cold, rainy Sunday for the Rockies
Bad weather is playing havoc with the Cactus League today. The Rockies and Padres decided last night to postpone their scheduled game in Tucson, Ariz., until Thursday. But the Rockies still plan a game at Peoria, Ariz., against the Mariners, weather permitting.
Right-hander Tyler Chatwood will work against the Mariners, weather permitting, with lefty Josh Outman and righty Esmil Rogers scheduled to work in relief.
In an interesting lineup twist, Tyler Colvin, who has been impressive in his quest for a backup outfield job, will play first base. The versatility can help him. With the field expected to be wet, none of the Rockies’ regulars will be in the lineup.
Eric Young Jr., CF
Charlie Blackmon, RF
Jordan Pacheco, C
Tim Wheeler, LF
Chris Nelson, DH
Tyler Colvin, 1B
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Brendan Harris, SS
DJ LeMahieu, 2B
Multiple injury updates, lineups for Rockies-Dodgers
– After hitting and taking groundball Friday, Rockies third baseman Casey Blake — who must prove he is healthy after neck surgery last year to hold onto a starting job — planned a full workout on Saturday with hopes of playing Sunday. Saturday will be the sixth straight day Blake has missed five days because of soreness in the trapezius muscle.
– Left-handed pitcher Jamie Moyer was “virtually pain-free,” according to Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger, when he threw a bullpen session on Saturday morning. Moyer planed a long day of strengthening, flexibility and treatment after the session. Moyer had been scratched from a Minor League start on Friday.
– Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, who left Thursday’s start with a blister on his right index finger, said Saturday morning he was about to throw a 30-35-pitch bullpen session. Chacin left his start Thursday with the ailment after throwing 44 pitches in three innings. He said he does not expect to have any problem making his next scheduled start, on Tuesday against the Padres at Peoria, Ariz.
– Chris Nelson, competing to step into the void at third base if Blake can’t answer the bell, will start Saturday against the Dodgers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Other players in the lineup needing big performances to make the squad are outfielders Eric Young Jr. and Andrew Brown, and catcher Wil Nieves.
– Rockies righty Drew Pomeranz threw 35-40 bullpen pitches Friday, will throw again on Sunday, and will start in a game on Wednesday. Pomeranz left his last start with right glute tightness.
ROCKIESS LINEUP
ROCKIES RELIEF PITCHING
DODGERS LINEUP
Dee Gordon, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Adam Kennedy, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
Tony Gwynn Jr., CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Cory Sullivan, LF
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
DODGERS RELIEF PITCHING
Alberto Castillo, LHP
Fernando Nieve, RHP
Will Savage, RHP
Ryan Tucker, RHP
Logan Bawcom, RHP
Brent Leach, LHP
Pomeranz leads Rockies vs. Royals; also, Rox face M’s in B game
Rockies left-hander Drew Pomeranz hopes to build on his scoreless two innings in the team’s Cactus League opener, a 1-1 tie with the D-backs on Friday afternoon, when he faces the Royals today. Fans can see the contest via a webcast. The game will start at 1:10 p.m. at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Felipe Paulino, formerly with the Rockies, will pitch for Kansas City.
Additionally, the Rockies and Mariners will play a B game at Salt River Fields at 10 a.m. on Field 1, which is just beyond the right-field corner of the main stadium.
Here is the Rockies’ batting order for the main game:
Dexter Fowler, CF
Jonathan Herrera, 2B
Jordan Pacheco, 1B
Jason Giambi, DH
Ramon Hernandez, C
Tyler Colvin, RF
Casey Blake, 3B
Chris Nelson, SS
Tim Wheeler, LF
Here is the pitching plan:
Drew Pomeranz, LHP
Josh Outman, LHP
Matt Belisle, RHP
Edgmer Escalona, RHP
Dustin Molleken, RHP
Edwar Cabrera, LHP
Joe Gardner, RHP
Here is the Rockies’ lineup for the the B game against the Mariners:
Eric Young Jr., 2B
Brendan Harris, RF
Brandon Wood, 3B
Chad Tracy, 1B
Ben Paulsen, DH
Andrew Brown, LF
DJ LeMahieu, SS
Jamie Hoffmann, CF
Lars Davis, C
Here is the pitching plan for the B game:
Rob Scahill, RHP
Carlos Torres, RHP
Josh Sullivan, RHP
Mike Ekstrom, RHP
Josh Roenicke, RHP
Blake to debut for Rockies vs. Cubs today
Rockies veteran third baseman Casey Blake will play for the first time since last Aug. 31, before his season with the Dodgers ended because of neck surgery.
Right-hander Guillermo Moscoso will start. Moscoso went 8-10 with a 3.28 ERA in 23 games, including 21 starts, for the Athletics last year. Moscoso, 28, actually made his first appearance in a Rockies uniform Friday in an intrqasquad game, when he gave up one run and two hits, with one strikeout, in two innings.
The Rockies also are starting Tyler Colvin in left field. The Rockies acquired Colvin and infielder DJ LeMaheiu, who is listed as a reserve today, from the Cubs for third baseman Ian Stewart and right-handed pitcher Casey Weathers. Stewart, a regular with the Rockies until he descended into a slump last season, will start for the Cubs.
On the Rockies’ pitching schedule are right-handed prospect Chad Bettis, right-hander Alex White, righty Josh Roenicke, lefty Matt Reynolds and righties Zach Putnam, Mike Ekstrom and Edgmer Escalona.
White is a candidate for the roation, along with Moscoso. White gave up one run on two hits, with a walk and a strikeout, in two innings of Friday’s intrasquad game. He was arrested Saturday night and, according to the Denver Post, could be charged with “extreme DUI.” The Rockies did not discipline White further. White, who came from the Indians in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade but was pitching through an injury during his brief trial (2-4, 8.42 ERA in seven starts) showed life on his sinker during the intrasquad game.
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who was scratched from the lineup before Monday’s game against the D-backs because of illness, reported feeling better Tuesday. Outfielder Tim Wheeler, also sent home Monday, is listed as a reserve today. There was no plan to play first baseman Todd Helton today. Helton also was sent home because of the illness Monday but was at the clubhouse Tuesday.
Here is the Rockies’ lineup:
Dexter Fowler, CF
Jordan Pacheco, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Ramon Hernandez, C
Casey Blake, 3B
Brandon Wood, SS
Tyler Colvin, LF
Chris Nelson, 2B
Wilkin Castillo, DH
Braves, Rockies continue to discuss Smith-Prado trade
The Rockies could use one more bat, specifically at second base. The Braves need a left fielder. None of this has changed since the offseason began and reports surfaced of the possibility of the Rockies sending left-handed hitting outfielder Seth Smith to Atlanta for right-handed hitting infielder Martin Prado. Dialogue between the teams continued through last week, and word Monday was the possibility of a trade remains alive.
The frontburner issue for the Braves appears to be seeing what kind of package they can receive for right-handed starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens, a move that could fill other needs.
The Rockies reached a three-year, $31.5 million agreement with former Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer last week, and are in position to deal Smith.
The Rockies’ main need is a durable starting pitcher, but they have shown no interest in dealing the multiple prospects that many teams require for such a deal. So adding another bat at second base, where the Rockies for now have a possible combination of former first-round Draft pick Chris Nelson and solid multi-position man Jonathan Herrera, has risen to the top of the pecking order.
It would be yet another roadblock for Nelson, who took awhile to find his legs as a professional but has earned compliments from manager Jim Tracy for his work ethic. If such a deal occurs, Nelson could get his chance at third base — if hot prospect Nolan Arenado needs more time to develop. Arenado put up dominant numbers in Class-A last year and in the Arizona Fall League, and will be given a shot to make the Majors this spring.
As for the pitcher, the Rockies would like to re-sign veteran righty Kevin Millwood, who displayed leadership — not only on the mound, but with his preparation between starts — that could help a mostly young starting staff. While it would be nice to add a 200-innings stalwart, it doesn’t look possible on the trading market, it’s cost-prohibitive in free agency, and might not be necessary. A veteran hurler who can stabilize the pitching until left-hander Jorge De La Rosa returns in May or June from Tommy John surgery might be good enough to keep the club in good position in the National League West.
The Denver Post reported late last week that the Rockies have reached out to free-agent right-hander Brad Lidge, who grew up in Colorado and, through his agent, expressed interest in pitching for his hometown team. Lidge, who has history as a dominant closer, is coming off a 2011 season with the Phillies during which he missed time with a partially torn rotator cuff and experienced elbow issues. The Phillies have discussed bringing him back. Given his current health, it’s more likely that wherever he signs it would be under a Minor League deal. If the Rockies bring back infielder Melvin Mora, who played for them in 2010, it would be under a Minor League deal.
Cubs’ interest in Stewart wanes
The Cubs are in a wide-ranging search for a third baseman, but they’ve backed away from trying to acquire the Rockies’ Ian Stewart, at least for now. The situation remains fluid, however, so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they’ll jump back in.
The Rockies discussed at various points acquiring infielder Blake DeWitt and outfielder-first baseman Tyler Colvin, and the Denver Post reported that the Rockies asked about infielder DJ LeMaiheu and left-handed reliever Scott Maine.
Stewart’s name has come up in talks with various teams since last summer’s non-waiver Trade Deadline. The Rockies and D-backs talked back then. But if no deal is reached, expect Stewart to compete for the starting third base job with Brandon Wood, signed to a Minor League contract, and Jordan Pacheco. Chris Nelson and Jonathan Herrera, who are in the mix for playing time at second base, also play third.
Post: Rox ask Cubs for DeWitt in exchange for Stewart
The Cubs are known to be interested in Rockies third baseman Ian Stewart, and the Denver Post reported Friday that the Rox have asked for versatile infielder Blake DeWitt in return. The paper says talks have quieted but could kick up again during baseball’s winter meetings in Dallas. Teams begin arriving Sunday.
DeWitt could be a nice fit. The Rockies would like a veteran presence who could start in stretches if necessary. But the organization believes former top Draft pick Chris Nelson could produce if given a clean opportunity at second base, and the team will not throw up road blocks for third base prospect Nolan Arenado, a second-round pick in 2009.
A former Dodgers prospect, DeWitt has hit .260 with a .329 on-base percentage in 404 games over four seasons with the Dodgers and the Cubs with periodic shots at everyday duty.
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