Results tagged ‘ Randy Flores ’
Giambi arrives; Contreras to throw Saturday
The Rockies touted their veteran reinforcements on Tuesday, the beginning of what promises to be a mad dash that they hope will end in a playoff berth.
Left-handed swinging pinch-hitter Jason Giambi, who was released by the Athletics last month, joined the Rockies after a few days at Triple-A Colorado Springs to regain his swing. He hit home runs in his last two games with the Sky Sox.
“There is no small role when you’re in a pennant race,” Giambi said.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy also announced that right-hander Jose Contreras, who was acquired from the White Sox for Minor League right-hander Brandon Hynick on Monday night, will start Saturday against the D-backs and is in line to pitch against the Reds when the next turn in the rotation comes. Contreras is filling in for Aaron Cook (sore right shoulder), who played catch on Tuesday with no problems.
Also being promoted from Colorado Springs are left-handed reliever Randy Flores, righty reliever Joel Peralta and catcher Paul Phillips. All had their moments with the Rockies earlier this season.
Other possibilities for the Rockies this month are right-handers Russ Ortiz and Jhoulys Chacin, both of whom are helping Colorado Springs in its attempt to earn a playoff berth.
Greetings from the Steel City — and hello to Randy Flores
It’s a nice, warm night in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins are going to have home-ice advangtage against the Hurricanes. It’s also where the Pirates missed out on a chance of a sweep of the Cardinals. It would be cool for the Rockies to have a shot at sweeping a team at some point, wouldn’t it? The Rockies and Pirates will meet for three games starting Friday night.
Several baseball sources say veteran left-hander Randy Flores will join the Rockies. Flores, who pitched for the Cardinals last season but underwent shoulder surgery at season’s end, is 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA in 15 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs. Expected to lose his roster spot is lefty Glendon Rusch. who is 2-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 11 games this season.
Dexter Fowler is still here…
The Rockies announced some cuts Monday morning. Center field prospect Dexter Fowler, considered too young at the start of camp for big-league consideration, survived and could force his way onto the team. Interestingly, Matt Murton was sent out despite his .302 spring average. A story is coming on the site.
Here is their official press release:
TUCSON – The Colorado Rockies announced today that three players have been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs, while three other players have been reassigned to minor league camp.
The following players have been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs: outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, outfielder Matt Murton and left-handed pitcher Greg Smith. Additionally, catcher Edwin Bellorin, left-handed pitcher Randy Flores and catcher Paul Phillips have all been reassigned to Minor League camp.
The Rockies now have 34 players on the Major League Spring Training roster, including 8 non-roster players
Flores on quickened course; working on the day off
Lefty reliever Randy Flores gave up a home run to the Royals’ Tommy Murphy on Tuesday. It was the first Cactus League run against Flores in three appearances, althuogh he did give up three runs in one inning of an intrasquad game.
Nonetheless, Flores — a non-roster invitee — has made himself an interesting bullpen candidate to start the season, even though he is coming off shoulder surgery in August.
“The second I got healthy, and in shape to throw, I was in games, and that’s different for me,” said Flores, who established himself as a reliever with the Cardinals 2004-08. “Typically, everyone gets in shape during the winter, but still it’s a jolt to your system to face hitters, and another jolt when you’re in a game.
“So to say I have nothing to work on would be completely wrong. I need to continue to work on my conditioning in the game, and the crispness and sharpness of my pitches. That can hopefully take place over the last couple of weeks.”
– The Rockies will enjoy their only day off of the spring on Wednesday. But left-hander Greg Smith and right-handers Greg Reynolds, Ryan Speier, Josh Fogg and Matt Belisle will throw in a Minor League game. Also, it’ll be the first Minor League outing for righty Jason Hirsh, who was optioned out of big-league camp on Monday.
– Todd Helton continues to put back problems behind him. On Tuesday, he hit his third home run in six Spring Training games. This one was a pull shot down the right-field line off the Royals’ Kyle Davies. The other two were to center field. Ryan Spilborghs also went deep. The club’s projected leadoff hitter, Spilborghs is hitting .323 with a .405 on-base percentage in 10 Cactus League contests.
Intrasquad Tuesday
Here are the lineups for Tuesday’s intrasquad game at Hi Corbett Field:
Team 1
Dexter Fowler, CF
Omar Quintanilla, SS
Joe Koshansky, 1B
Matt Miller, LF
Daniel Ortmeier, RF
Christian Colonel, 3B
Chris Nelson, 2B
Sal Fasano, C
Team 2
Eric Young Jr., 2B
Chris Frey, CF
Ian Stewart, 3B
Matt Murton, RF
Seth smith, LF
Edwin Bellorin, 1B
Paul Phillips, C
Jonathan Herrera, SS
Listed on the lineup card are two extra catchers, Wilin Rosario and Michael McKenry.
Manager Clint Hurdle kept most of the team’s starters and frequently used reserves out of the lineup. But Stewart and Smith each have crowds at their position, so the at-bats are important.
Non-roster veteran right-hander Josh Fogg, hoping to make the club for Opening Day, is pitching. Otherwise, the club will use its prospects in the game. Right-handed starters Esmil Rogers, Jhoulys Chacin, Brandon Hynick and Samuel Deduno are scheduled for two innings apiece. Righty relievers Matt Daley and Steven Register will throw an inning apiece.
– Left-hander Randy Flores, who is coming off shoulder surgery, is not on this week’s pitching schedule. He came to camp on a modified throwing program.
– Left-handed reliever Alan Embree has returned to camp after missing a day for personal reasons.
Francis offers variety during bullpen session
Tidbits from a cool and overcast Tuesday at Hi Corbett Field:
– Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis threw a 25-pitch bullpen session, using curveballs and breaking pitches as well as fastballs. Francis is looking to determine whether to go season-ending surgery on his sore left shoulder.
– Cross two players off the list for the World Baseball Classic. Left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa told Mexico no, saying he wanted to stay in the Rockies’ camp. The Rockies are counting on him being part of their season-opening rotation. Also, catcher Sal Fasano will not play for Team Italy at the behest of the Rockies. Chris Iannetta is set to play for Team USA, so the club needs catching depth in camp.
– Left-handed reliever Randy Flores finished last season with shoulder problems while with the Cardinals, but has been surprisingly healthy in camp. Flores threw a bullpen session on Monday. The Rockies have him on a modified schedule, so his next session is Thursday.
mlblogsharding1
Recent Comments