Results tagged ‘ Jordan Pacheco ’

Rockies welcome “the new” Alex White

Rockies fans saw right-hander Alex White late last season. They saw him give up 12 home runs in 36 1/3 innings.

But if what Rockies manager Jim Tracy saw when he was able to catch some of White’s work when he pitched at Triple-A Colorado Springs during the early part of this season, fans can forget about the Alex White they saw last year. The new White, Tracy hopes, will be revealed tonight against the Padres.

“I don’t know how this is going to play out, but I’ve seen him on television in some of these starts that he’s had in Triple-A,” Tracy said. “If that guy shows up, you’ll see a different pitcher than you saw last September and you’ll see a different guy than you saw last September.

Here are the lineups:

 

ROCKIES

1. Marco Scutaro, 2B (.266, 0 HR, 1 RBI)

2. Jordan Pacheco, 3B (.154, 0 HR, 0 RBI)

3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF (.320, 7 HR, 26 RBIs)

4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS (.266, 3 HR, 13 RBIs)

5. Todd Helton,1B (.233, 4 HR, 20 RBIs)

6. Michael Cuddyer, RF (.275, 3 HR, 18 RBIs)

7. Ramon Hernandez, C (.279, 4 HR, 14 RBIs)

8. Tyler Colvin, CF (.289, 2 HR, 10 RBIs)

9. Alex White, RHP (2012 debut)

 

PADRES

1. Will Venable, RF (.236, 1 HR, 2 RBIs)

2. Cameron Maybin, CF (.220, 1 HR, 9 RBIs)

3. Chase Headley, 3B (.255, 4 HR, 16 RBIs)

4. Yonder Alonzo, 1B (.283, 0 HR, 6 RBIs)

5. Mark Kotsay, LF (.276, 1 HR, 6 RBIs)

6. Orlando Hudson, 2B (.211, 1 HR, 8 RBIs)

7. John Baker, C (.091, 0 RBI, 1 RBI)

8. Jason Bartlett, SS (.141, 0 HR, 4 RBIs)

9. Jeff Suppan (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Rockies option Moscoso, place Young on bereavement list; call up Pacheco, Ottavino

Here is the official press release from the Rockies on Saturday:

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has optioned right-handed pitcher Guillermo Moscoso to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Rockies have also placed outfielder Eric Young Jr. on the bereavement list today. To replace Moscoso and Young on the active roster, Colorado has recalled right-handed pitcher Adam Ottavino and infielder/catcher Jordan Pacheco from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Both Ottavino (#37) and Pacheco (#22) will be in uniform and available for today’s Rockies vs. Braves game at Coors Field (6:10 p.m. MDT).

 

Ottavino, 26, was claimed off waivers by Colorado from St. Louis on April 3rd and immediately optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The right-hander has appeared in 10 games, all in relief, for the Sky Sox this season. He has no record with a 3.60 ERA (15.0 ip, 6 er), 7 walks and 20 strikeouts in his 10 games. Ottavino made his Major League debut with St. Louis last season, where he went 0-2 with an 8.46 ERA (22.1 ip, 21 er), 9 walks and 12 strikeouts in five games/three starts. He was originally selected in the first round (30th overall) of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Northeastern University by the Cardinals. The New York native was strictly a starter in the Cardinals organization, but was moved to the bullpen once he joined the Rockies organization in April.

 

Pacheco, 26, was a member of the Rockies Opening Day roster in 2012 before being optioned to Triple-A on April 15th. In five games for the Rockies in 2012 Pacheco has hit .200 (2-for-10) with one triple and one run scored. Pacheco has batted .433 (29-for-67) with 4 doubles, 3 home runs and 10 RBI in 17 games for the Sky Sox this season. The Albuquerque native made his Major League debut in September, 2011 and hit .286 (24-for-84) with one double, 2 home runs and 14 RBI in 21 games for the Rockies.

 

Moscoso, 28, was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on April 28th to take the roster spot of Jeremy Guthrie (15-day DL with right shoulder sprain). Moscoso made two starts for the Rockies, going 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA (9.1 ip, 12 er), 4 walks and 10 strikeouts. The right-hander began the season at Triple-A, where he went 1-3 with a 7.91 ERA (19.1 ip, 17 er), 4 walks and 19 strikeouts in 4 starts. Moscoso was acquired by Colorado along with left-handed pitcher Josh Outman from Oakland on January 16th in exchange for Seth Smith.

 

Young, 26, made his first Opening Day roster in 2012 and has hit .286 (6-for-21) with one double, one triple, 2 RBI, 9 runs scored and 4 stolen bases in 21 games this season. 2012 marks the fourth-straight season that Young has appeared in the Major Leagues with Colorado. He owns a .248 (111-for-448) career batting average with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run, 21 RBI, 76 runs scored and 52 stolen bases in 179 career Major League games. Young will not be eligible to come off the bereavement list until Tuesday. Young cannot miss more than seven games while on the bereavement list.

 

The Rockies have a full 40-man roster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rockies trainer was first to see Nicasio’s comeback coming

When a player is injured, the team’s head atheltic trainer knows more about the injury, rehab and chances of a comeback better than anyone, save for a doctor. Rockies head athetic trainer Keith Dugger  was the first to see pitcher Juan Nicasio’s miracle return from a broken neck — which culminates with his start against the Astros on Sunday afternoon — coming.

Dugger watched in amazement during the winter as Nicasio, who suffered the injury (along with a fractured skull) when he was hit in the head with a line drive by the Nationals’ Ian Desmond and tumbled to the mound last Aug. 5, threw pitches in the Dominican Republic, with no effects from neck surgery and no referred pain in his muscles. When general manager Dan O’Dowd called and asked if Nicasio would be ready by June, Dugger was the first to say it could be long before that.

In Spring Training, Nicasio proved Dugger correct.

“I was more worried about Spring Training,” Dugger said. “But after that first comebacker [a line drive that buzzed past him in his first spring appearance], I knew we were home free.

“And I think once he gets through a start in Denver, back on the mound where he got injured, he’ll be completely over it.”

Manager Jim Tracy said Nicasio is “way past what happened.”

Nicasio will be backed by a lineup full of changes, as Dexter Fowler, Todd helton, Ramon Hernandez and Marco Scutaro rest.

Rockies batting order

Tyler Colvin, CF

Jordan Pacheco, 3B

Carlos Gonzalez, LF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Jason Giambi, 1B

Michael Cuddyer, RF

Wilin Rosario, C

Jonathan Herrera, 2B

Juan Nicasio, P

Astros lineup

Jordan Schafer, CF

Jose Altuve, 2B

J.D. Martinez, LF

Carlos Lee, 1B

Brian Bogusevic, RF

Chris Johnson, 3B

Jason Castro, C

Marwin Gonzalez, SS

Bud Norris, P

Cuddyer back in lineup

Rockies right fielder Micahel Cuddyer returned to the lineup today, against the Mariners, for the first time since being hit in the hand with a pitch from the Rangers’ Yu Darvish on Friday night.

Cuddyer was originally scheduled to play Sunday against the Indians, but was scratched before the game.

“[Sunday] I picked up the bat and swung a little bit, and only took about five swings and was afraid this thing was going to blow up again,” Cuddyer said. “I wanted to take yesterday to see if I could do it. I hit, and there was no problem.”

Cuddyer said he is excited for Friday night’s opener at Houston, after playing all or parts of the last 11 seasons with the Twins.

“For Opening Day, I was always anxious, nervous, butterflies,” Cuddyer said. “I get butterflies for every game. Now, being with a new team, new fan base, new organization, new league, I almost feel like a rookie again. In Houston, I’ll be facing three pitchers and I’ve only faced one of them before — like, three at-bats.

“Feeling like a rookie again is fun.”

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was out for the second straight day after being hit on the left elbow by the Indians’ Ubaldo Jimenez — who was issued a five-game suspension and undisclosed fine after Major League Baseball determined that the act was intentional. Tulowitzki was to hit in the batting cage today.

Here is the Rockies’ lineup for today’s next-to-last Cactus League game:

Marco Scutaro, SS

Dexter Fowler, CF

Carlos Gonzalez, LF

Michael Cuddyer, RF

Todd Helton, 1B

Jason Giambi, DH

Ramon Hernandez, C

Jordan Pacheco, 3B

Jonathan Herrera, 2B

Rockies pitching for today:

Juan Nicasio, RHP

Matt Belisle, RHP

Rafael Betancourt, RHP

Rex Brothers, LHP

 

 

Rockies roster set

Rockies manager Jim Tracy announced his Opening Day roster on Monday, although there will be some changes in the early days of the season. Left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz won’t be activated until April 15, when he is scheduled to pitch, and lefty Jamie Moyer won’t be activated until he starts Saturday against the Astros.

One spot is up in the air. Left-handed reliever Josh Outman is battling food poisoning. If he won’t be ready for Friday, the Rockies will have to make an adjustment by bringing back right-hander Alex White, who was optioned to the Minors on Monday.

Tracy also said he is comfortable setting a roster with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki active. Tulowitzki suffered a bruised left elbow on Sunday when hit by a pitch from the Indians’ Ubaldo Jimenez.

Here is the roster for Friday’s opener against the Astros:

PITCHERS (11) — Jeremy Guthrie, Juan Nicasio, Jhoulys Chacin, Matt Belisle, Rafael Betancourt, Rex Brothers, Tyler Chatwood, Matt Reynolds, Josh Roenicke, Esmil Rogers, Josh Outman

CATCHERS (2) — Ramon Hernandez, Wilin Rosario

INFIELDERS (7) — Todd Helton, Marco Scutaro, Troy Tulowitzki, Jordan Pacheco, Chris Nelson, Jason Giambi, Jonathan Herrera.

OUTFIELDERS (5) — Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Michael Cuddyer, Tyler Colvin, Eric Young Jr.

Hitting coach wants better mechanics from Fowler

Rockies hitting coach Carney Lansford heard that center fielder Dexter Fowler visiting Las Vegas with Jason Giambi, Troy Tulowitzki and others for offseason workouts. He saw a stronger Fowler arrive at Spring Training.

Now he is looking at Fowler’s .114 batting average through his first 14 Cactus League games and wondering if there is a connection.

“He lifted a lot this offseason, got a lot stronger, so he’s trying to hit the ball farther, which is a huge mistake for him,” Lansford said Tuesday morning. “I don’t mind him lifting. I just don’t want him changing mechanics from what he did the second half of last season.”

Fowler added a leg kick to his swing in the middle of last season, during a demotion to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He returned with improved timing and put up strong second half numbers. But Lansford and manager Jim Tracy have noticed that the kick wasn’t the same. Corrections are being made in hopes of avoiding a slow start, something Fowler has suffered through the last two years.

“He was picking [his foot] up too far, and his hands were not in the right spot, either,” Lansford said. “He’s going back to where he feels comfortable with his hands. He’s actually starting to swing the bat better. We’ve got nine days left. It would be the perfect time to get right, going into the season.

Fowler had another rough day at the plate Monday against the Angels, but Tracy said his swing was bettr and he hasn’t carried his offensive struggles to the field.

Usually the leadoff hitter, or No. 2 hitter on days Tracy experiements with Marco Scutaro in the top spot, Fowler hit eighth Tuesday afternoon against the D-backs. Eric Young Jr. batted leadoff and started in left. Jonathan Herrera, fighting the numbers game for an Opening Day roster spot, is hitting second and Scutaro is batting third.

ROCKIES LINEUP

Eric Young Jr., LF

Jonathan Herrera, SS

Marco Scutaro, 2B

Ramon Hernandez, C

Todd Helton, 1B

Jordan Pacheco, 3B

Tyler Colvin, RF

Dexter Fowler, CF

Jeremy Guthrie, RHP

ROCKIES RELIEF PITCHING

Rex Brothers, LHP

Josh Roenicke, RHP

Rafael Betancourt, RHP

Keith Weiser, LHP

Zach Simons, RHP

D-BACKS LINEUP

Gerardo Parra, LF

Aaron Hill, 2B

Justin Upton, RF

Lyle Overbay, 1B

Ryan Roberts, 2B

Henry Blanco, C

John McDonald, SS

Patrick Corbin, LHP

D-BACKS RELIEF PITCHING

Craig Breslow, LHP

Joe Paterson, RHP

Bryan Shaw, RHP

Mike Zagurski, LHP

Brad Ziegler, RHP

Also, the Rockies are using right-handed pitcher Guillermo Moscoso in a Minor League game.

Making the team better is bigger than making the team

Spring Training can feel like a lot of time to determine little. Teams spend six weeks figuring out the fifth starter, a bullpen position or two, the last infielder and outfielder, and the backup catcher. If we’re lucky, a position or two in the regular lineup. The media fill the World Wide Web with stories about players who will go largely ignored during the regular season. Of course, nothing is wrong with this. And if one of these backups becomes a star, fans have a chance to remember something about him, or at least they can plug his name into a search engine and find plenty.

But the real issue flies under the radar.

In all this activity, what do the stars and backups alike do that will carry over into the regular season?

Probelm is the important work is hard to measure. Last year’s Rockies best illustrate this issue.

The Rockies were 20-11-1 last spring. The storyline went that moving from Tucson, Ariz., to the new complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., meant more regualrs could play regularly, and it showed in the performance. The party line was more time together meant better fundamental play.

But as the Rockies were careening toward 89 losses, I talked to one veteran player who made a point: Many of those sound, fundamental at-bats — the productive outs, the hit-and-runs, the walks — came from young players who were not even in the big-league radar. When they were in the game, the guys they were just as far from the Majors. All of this made the sparkling record empty.

Manager Jim Tracy is paying special attention to the starters this spring to make sure they’re playing winning baseball, even though the victories don’t count once the regular year begins.

After Saturday’s victory over the Giants, Tracy was every bit as excited about outfielder Tyler Colvin’s hit-and-run that drove in a run as he was about Juan Nicasio’s 5 2/3 innings of positive pitching. After Saturday’s victory over the Giants, he made a point of mentioning Jonathan Herrera’s well-executed hit-and-run that led to a two-run inning and complimented Carlos Gonzalez on an RBI groundout with two strikes. These comments have been common this spring.

The headlines will go to position competitions, but we all can use the reminder that spring is not just about making the team.

It’s about making the team better.

Some notes about today’s game against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium:

– Marco Scutaro, who played shortstop for the Red Sox last season but was acquired by the Rockies to start at second base, will make his first Cactus League start at short today. Scutaro’s ability to move to short is important.

Tracy has vowed not to overuse regular shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Last season, Tulowitzki played in 143 games but that was with him not playing after Sept. 22 with hip soreness. He would have played had the team been in the playoff hunt, but would his production have been compromised? Would he have put himself at risk for further injury?

The 140-game mark sounds smart, but the Rockies need to do that at a normal pace. If they need the National Guard to keep him out of the lineup for a few games in April and May, so be it.

The Rockies have several players capable of playing short in a pinch, but Scutaro represents an experienced alternative with classic shortstop abilities.

– For the second time this spring, Scutaro is batting first and Dexter Fowler is hitting second. They usually are flopped. The first time it happened, Scutaro delivered an RBI double and Fowler had a good game at the plate. Both have spent the spring searching for their swings.

– Regular right fielder Michael Cuddyer is starting at first base today. Tracy had used Cuddyer for eight defensive innings at the position in previous spring games, but Cuddyer must be prepared for more. If Todd Helton’s back becomes an issue, the Rockies could move Cuddyer to first and fill his spot with a backup outfielder.

Here is a look at today’s lineups:

ROCKIES BATTING ORDER

Marco Scutaro, SS

Dexter Fowler, CF

Carlos Gonzalez, LF

Jason Giambi, DH

Michael Cuddyer, 1B

Jordan Pacheco, 3B

Wilin Rosario, C

Tyler Colvin, RF

Brandon Wood, 2B

ROCKIES PITCHING

Starter: Drew Pomeranz, LHP

Matt Reynolds, LHP

Edgmer Escalona, RHP

Matt Belisle, RHP

Josh Outman, LHP

Stephen Dodson, RHP

ANGELS BATTING ORDER

Erick Aybar, SS

Howie Kendrick, 2B

Albert Pujols, 1B

Torii Hunter, RF

Vernon Wells, CF

Kendrys Morales, DH

Bobby Abreu, LF

Alberto Callaspo, 3B

Chris Iannetta, C

ANGELS PITCHING

Starter: Garrett Richards, RHP

Jordan Walden, RHP

Hisanori Takahashi, LHP

Rich Thompson, RHP

 

Chacin must be efficient; Pacheco working on infield defense

Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin struggled in his last outing, after suffering a finger blister in the outing before that. Quite simply, the Rockies expect Chacin to be efficient today against the Reds.

Also, the Rockies have placed Jordan Pacheco on today’s roster as a backup infielder. Pacheco, a right-handed hitting utility man whose bat has impressed the Rockies,  has peformed well at catcher throughout camp. Pacheco, an infielder in college, has made some good plays at third base but he is still considered a work in progress. At the end of the Rockies’ batting practice, Pacheco spent extra time with infield coach Rich Dauer fielding balls off the bat and working on his stance and movement.

Here are the lineups:

ROCKIES BATTING ORDER

Eric Young Jr., CF

Jonathan Herrera, 2B

Carlos Gonzalez, LF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Todd Helton, 1B

Michael Cuddyer, RF

Ramon Hernandez, C

Casey Blake, 3B

Jhoulys Chacin, RHP

ROCKIES RELIEF PITCHING

Matt Reynolds, LHP

Esmil Rogers, RHP

Alex White, RHP

Stephen Dodson, RHP

Mike Ekstrom, RHP

REDS BATTING ORDER

Brandon Phillips, 2B

Zack Cozart, SS

Joey Votto, 1B

Scott Rolen, 3B

Jay Bruce, RF

Chris Heisey, LF

Drew Stubbs, CF

Devin Mesoraco, C

Johnny Cueto, RHP

REDS RELIEF PITCHING

Drew Hayes, RHP

Brandon Hynick, RHP

Sam LeCure, RHP

Logan Ondruzek, RHP

Chris Manno, LHP

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

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