Rockies News And Notes: Chatwood, CarGo, And More…
By Hayden Kane
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
What do you want to talk about from last night’s 5-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants? Hunter Pence hit a baseball really far, Chad Bettis did nothing to curry any favor nor did any real damage to his long-term prospects as a candidate for the Rockies rotation. He struggled, then he recovered, then he struggled...meh. They just lost and it wasn’t very fun, so with respect to Giants starter Yusmeiro Petit, I’m going to call this game a “nothing to see here” situation and move on to some other news and notes.
Tyler Chatwood pitched five strong innings in what will presumably be his only rehab appearance before re-joining the Rockies’ rotation. If he can deliver some more strong showings between now and the end of the year, there might be something brewing with this surprisingly competent rotation. Maybe that’s putting too much stock in Juan Nicasio, but maybe not…
Yorvit Torrealba returned from his stint on the disabled list with a concussion. To make room for the veteran catcher, the Rockies sent infielder Ryan Wheeler back to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. One has to assume that Wheeler’s shining moments in Miami last weekend earned him another considerable look come September.
Carlos Gonzalez took batting practice yesterday for the first time since being place on the disabled list at the beginning of the month. That means he will be back in the lineup soon, which will either be a primer for 2014 or a startling reminder of what always can be or could have been but never is because he and Troy Tulowitzki just cannot seem to stay healthy.
Finally, Todd Helton is still three hits away from 2,500 for his career. All I know is that it won’t feel right if that 2,500th hit is anything other than a double swatted into the left-center field gap.