Colorado Rockies Rundown: Chad Bettis’ Start And Jose Reyes’ End

Jul 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher C. Bettis (35) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Bettis added to 25-man roster; will start Tuesday night in Atlanta

(via MLB.com)

Chad Bettis was added to the Colorado Rockies’ 25-man roster on Monday, with David Hale being optioned back to AAA Albuquerque (more on Hale on the next slide). Bettis will start Tuesday night in Atlanta against the Braves at 5:10 pm MT, moving the Rockies’ rotation back for one more day of rest.

Bettis had been on the disabled list dealing with elbow inflammation since July 19, but recently had a successful rehab stint in Albuquerque and is now healthy for the stretch run.

In 13 starts this year, Bettis is 5-4 with a 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings, 3.6 walks per nine innings and a 94 ERA+ in 75.2 innings pitched in the big leagues.

[ Related: How’d we do predicting Chad Bettis’ 2015 season? ]

Bettis had two brutal season in 2013 and 2014, so to have him figure things out in the rotation in 2015 has been great — and surely something Rockies fans hope for from another struggling young pitcher in Eddie Butler.

The product of Texas Tech will get the chance to audition for a more solidified 2016 role over the next month. Depending on his health and the Rockies’ roster construction, he could earn anywhere from four to six more big league starts to close out the year and give the Colorado Rockies an idea for next season.

Next: David Hale optioned back to AAA

Aug 23, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher D. Hale (61) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

David Hale optioned back to AAA Albuquerque

(via MLB.com)

The piggy back to Bettis’ addition to the 25-man roster, the Colorado Rockies have sent David Hale back down to AAA Albuquerque after the Princeton product made a start Sunday afternoon at Coors Field against the New York Mets.

Hale has had an up and down season, and Sunday was the perfect example; in trouble early, Hale ended up going six innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks — and four wild pitches (a club record!) — overcoming a poor start to retire nine of the final ten batters he faced.

[ Related: Looking back on the Colorado Rockies’ acquisition of David Hale ]

Nevertheless, the Rockies want more significant rotation help in the short run, opting to go with Bettis over Hale, who is 3-5 with a 6.15 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) this year. Disappointingly, Hale is allowing 10.8 hits and 1.8 home runs per nine innings this year, and even though he doesn’t walk many batters (just 15 in 60 innings), he’s also allowed 12 home runs in just 11 games.

All that being said, expect Hale to finish the next few weeks in Albuquerque, and then come back to Denver as rosters expand in September. Considering the Colorado Rockies traded for him this winter, it’s safe to assume they’d still like to give him a shot to earn a roster spot in 2016 as he continues to develop and adjust to Coors Field.

Next: CarGo (knee) listed as day-to-day

Aug 23, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder C. Gonzalez (5) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. The Mets won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Gonzalez (knee) listed as day-to-day

(via MLB.com)

Carlos Gonzalez left the Colorado Rockies’ Monday night game in Atlanta with what the club is describing as right knee soreness. He also left a game earlier last week with knee soreness, though he was in the lineup the next day so it obviously wasn’t a serious enough injury to sideline him for too long.

His play hasn’t suffered, either; CarGo has 26 home runs since June 1, and 17 since the All Star Break — both numbers are the best in the big leagues. He’s also second overall in home runs, with 30, behind only Bryce Harper and tied with teammate Nolan Arenado.

[ Related: Should the Colorado Rockies have traded CarGo in July? ]

The knee is interesting, though; should CarGo be able to return quickly from this, he’d remain on pace to play more than 140 games for the first time since 2010, when he finished third in the MVP vote, led the National League in hitting, and nearly won the Triple Crown.

For as much grief as we (and others) gave CarGo coming into the year about his health, he sure hasn’t disappointed at all in 2015. The Colorado Rockies as a whole on the other hand… well, I digress.

Next: Jose Reyes' trade demands

Aug 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop J. Reyes (7) following his out in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Reyes already wants out of Colorado

(via Denver Post)

Well this was fun while it lasted. Jose Reyes is already talking to the media about how he’d rather not play for a last place team, and that he wants out of Denver. Really?

Some quotes of note from the Colorado Rockies’ new starting shortstop:

“You come from a ball club that was competing for a spot in the playoffs. And you come to a club in last place. You think about that … I’m at the point in my career that I want to win. I say it over and over. I want to win. I don’t want to spend the rest of my career on a last-place team. That’s not the kind of player I feel like I am.”

And more:

“We’ll see what happens here. But in the next couple years, I don’t want to waste my time like that.”

Gee, Jose, thanks. Did you think that Arenado, or CarGo, or Ben Paulsen, Charlie Blackmon, Jorge De La Rosa, or anybody else on the roster wants to spend the rest of their career playing for a last place team, whether the Colorado Rockies or anywhere else? What makes you so special?

[ Related: The Colorado Rockies can flip Jose Reyes in a deal this offseason ]

I don’t want to get too mad at Jose — at 32 years old, he certainly has a ticking clock on his career, and nothing is guaranteed in professional sports — but he’s got to be a little bit better of a teammate and leader than this, right?

Here’s a thought for Jose, if he wants to leave Denver so badly: play your way out of town.

Slashing .271/.284/.400 in 92 at-bats with the Rockies, the easiest thing Reyes could do for himself to hasten a move out of Denver is playing better — on offense and defense — and making himself a valuable trade commodity, especially considering how much of an impediment his contract would be in any deal.

This will be a great test for Jeff Bridich this winter, though. Don’t hesitate on moving Jose Reyes, because he doesn’t want to be here, he certainly doesn’t factor into any of the Colorado Rockies’ future plans, and it’s time to give Cristhian Adames and Trevor Story legitimate chances to prove themselves.

Next: Stubbs and Chacin land MLB roster spots

September 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder D. Stubbs (13) throws his helmet after striking out in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Stubbs, Jhoulys Chacin catch on in big leagues

(via Dallas Morning News, NBC Sports)

Good to see on both counts… Drew Stubbs and Jhoulys Chacin are back in the big leagues (or, at least to be technical in Stubbs’ case, back with a big league organization).

Chacin started Monday night in Arizona for the Diamondbacks against the St. Louis Cardinals, and threw the ball very well. I watched his start with great interest last night and we’ll have more on him on this site later this morning.

The Diamondbacks initially signed Chacin in June after he was released by the Cleveland Indians, and sent him to AAA Reno, where he threw well in the starting rotation and earned the big league nod Monday night against the Cardinals.

[ Related: Designating Drew Stubbs for assignment was the wrong move ]

Stubbs signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers early Monday morning, and was assigned to AAA Round Rock. Considering the fact that the Rangers have had injury issues in the outfield this year — Josh Hamilton and Leonys Martin are both on the disabled list — there might be room for Stubbs on a club that’s increasingly in the thick of things in the AL Wild Card race.

Obviously, really happy for both of these gentlemen. Each had struggles in Colorado and both probably deserved the fate they got with the Colorado Rockies considering ineffectiveness and, in Chacin’s case, injury — but it’s still good to see both catch on elsewhere around the league. And each one has a shot at the playoffs now!

Next: Meet Simon Castro and Jairo Diaz

September 14, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher J. Diaz (49) pitches the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Simon Castro, Jairo Diaz make their Rockies’ debuts

(via MLB.com)

We had a piece on this yesterday, but it was more focused on Rafael Betancourt being designated for assignment by the Rockies; Simon Castro and Jairo Diaz are the two men who will fill out the bullpen, at least for the time being.

Neither pitcher threw on Monday in Atlanta, but on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field against the New York Mets, Castro tossed two scoreless innings allowing two hits, and Diaz added a scoreless frame with just a walk allowed.

[ Related: Ten relievers the Colorado Rockies should look at in September ]

Walt Weiss liked what he saw from them:

“I thought they did a great job. Simon settled in after some issues in that first inning, but kept them from scoring. And I think Diaz showed why we like him — the power that you envision at the back end of a bullpen and the swing-and-miss slider.”

Castro had a pretty decent year in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, while Diaz struggled with his command there, but has a plus-plus fastball and a power slider — tools that make big league coaches drool with the thought of being able to corral him enough to be a lockdown late inning reliever one day.

Either way, we’ve written about these two before; they each deserve a shot in the big leagues, and it’s good to see the Colorado Rockies deciding to give each one a try to figure out what they might have in 2016 for organizational depth.

Next: On Instagram and Yohan Flande

Jul 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Y. Flande (58) throws to first during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Coors Field. The Angels won 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Yohan Flande’s family follows me on Instagram

(via Instagram)

Consider this your fun story to end the Colorado Rockies’ Rundown for the day: Yohan Flande’s family members connected with me on Instagram.

It started when I (jokingly, but seriously) changed my Twitter bio to reflect how much I liked Flande (see here for more). They found that on Twitter, reached out to me via Instagram (2015! Technology! Social media!) and we had a nice moment. Made my day!

[ Related: Reminisce on the best game of Yohan Flande’s career ]

That interaction with Flande’s family (who you can tell are unbelievably proud of their boy) is just your friendly reminder that despite the criticism these athletes sometimes take (and open themselves up to as pro ball players; these guys know the drill), they are still human beings. They absolutely read the stuff you write and hear the stuff you say about them.

You don’t have to sugar coat or lie on a player analysis to make people feel good, and you can’t be afraid to hurt feelings over baseball, as long as your analyses and opinions on a player are fair and just.

But when you do that, always remember family members, friends, and loved ones see these things. Don’t be a jerk. (And seriously, Colorado Rockies fans, you ought to join my Yohan Flande Fan Club — memberships are going fast!)

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