Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 33 vs. Seattle

With the opening day roster set, there really isn't a need a for hits and misses this afternoon. Instead, we'll just looking at the guys who indeed "got their work in".

Juan Nicasio

4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K

This wasn't a pretty conclusion to Nicasio's spring, but aside from Drew Pomeranz he was the Rockies most consistent and impressive starting pitcher in Arizona. He'll start the Sunday game in Houston, and I'd be willing to bet someone's money that he'll be much better in that one.

Tyler Chatwood 

1 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 K

This outing didn't exactly solidify Chatwood's somewhat surprising inclusion on the opening day roster. Like I said yesterday though, he'll likely be the first guy to go down, and he does provide value as a long reliever. That's ultra important over the first 10 days or so.

Bullpen 

Rafael Betancourt and Matt Belisle were on point with 1-2-3 innings today. Meanwhile, Rex Brothers allowed one hit but rallied to collect his second save of the spring. All three will be bringing their A games on Friday.

Offense 

Just about everyone provided a hit today. Even Dexter Fowler had an extra base hit. Jonathan Herrera had a double of his own and knocked in three. Michael Cuddyer (in his returned from being plunked by Yu Darvish) doubled, walked and scored twice. Contributions up and down the lineup. Good balance. Oh, and Seattle's five errors didn't hurt either.

Read more »

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 32 vs. Seattle

The 25-man roster is now set (via Thomas Harding).  

In addition to holding Drew Pomeranz off the roster until he's needed on April 15, the Rockies will also hold Jamie Moyer off the opening day roster but will activate him prior to Saturday's game in Houston. That affords Jim Tracy some position player depth in case the opener goes extras and even if Troy Tulowitzki's elbow is still barking.

Most surprising name on the roster: Tyler Chatwood

I didn't see this coming, but it actually makes sense to have Chatwood around early in the season when the starters may not go as deep into the game. He's the type of guy that can give 2-3 innings at a moment's notice, so that's a nice option for Jim Tracy. That said, he'll probably be the pitcher that goes down once Moyer and Pomeranz come up and the roster is set because he needs the most seasoning and doesn't project as a reliever.

Most surprising name missing: Edgmer Escalona

The only thing Escalona had going against him this spring was the option remaining on his contract. Well, that, and a rough outing today that included beaning Jesus Montero (awful timing). Yeah, overall it was a tough day for Edgmer, but he'll be back in the big leagues soon enough you can bet on that.

Read more »

Jim Tracy tells us how he really feels about Ubaldo Jimenez

While Troy Tulowitzki elected to take the high road in his postgame comments regarding the Ubaldo Jimenez incident.

Manager Jim Tracy elected to take the Jim Tracy road. A road that all too often leads to nowhere.

Here's what he said via the hard-working Rockies beat writers over at the Denver Post.

“It’s the most gutless act I have seen in 35 years of professional baseball. I have lost all respect for him. To do something like that and walk down off the mound, and if there’s any suggestion whatsoever that the ball got away, I don’t want to hear any of that (expletive). He intentionally threw at him. He should be suspended. I am going to be very disappointed if he doesn’t get suspended. He deserves to be,” Tracy said, his voice rising in anger.

Message received.

Read more »

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 31 vs. Cleveland

Hits

Tyler Colvin

I don't how good his 400+ foot home run off Ubaldo Jimenez felt to him personally (probably pretty good), but it damn sure felt great to Rockies fans. Colvin would later add a second home run and two additional hits, finishing the day at 4-for-5 with six RBI.

Welcome to the big club, Tyler Colvin. Happy to have you.

Chris Nelson

Speaking of making the big club and homering off Jimenez, Chris Nelson also belongs to this club. His fourth inning two-run shot tied the game momentarily. He later added an RBI double giving him three on the day.

Josh Roenicke

Two more scoreless innings lowers his spring ERA to 0.79. That would be good enough to make the 1990 Cincinnati Reds bullpen, so I'm pretty sure it'll get him on the 2012 Rockies. Especially if they go eight deep initially in the 'pen.

Read more »

The day Ubaldo Jimenez lost my respect

In case you haven't heard, the Rockies squared off against the Cleveland Indians this afternoon at Salt River Fields and Cleveland's starting pitcher just happened to be a former Rockies ace — and argubly the only ace they've ever had — by the name of Ubaldo Jimenez.

Once the Indians confirmed that news a couple days ago, we knew we were going to be in for an interesting ball game, first and foremost, because it's always interesting when a player matches up against his former team. In this case, though, there was even more interest because of the circumstances we've learned that surrounded Ubaldo's departure last season, and because Troy Tulowitzki went public with the following response to Ubaldo's poor attitude and his comments during the winter.

"There's a certain point in this game where you go play and you shut your mouth. And you don't worry about what other people are doing."

So obviously tensions were high when Tulowitzki stepped in for his first at-bat in the first inning. The first pitch of said at-bat was a Jimenez fastball... that drilled Tulo right on the left elbow (which eventually sent him for x-rays that were thankfully negative). Mhm, Ubaldo went right after him, and then, according to those in attendance, pounded his chest and invited Tulowitzki to join him in front of the mound after Tulo called him something unpleasant.

Read more »