Colorado Rockies Roster Report 2009-05-01

2B Clint Barmes had no walks in his first 52 at-bats, hardly a surprise since he walked 17 times in 417 plate appearances last year. But Barmes gives the Rockies some punch batting eighth, having opened the season 13-for-48 with four doubles, three homers and seven RBIs. Todd Helton played in 15 of the first 16 games and started 14 of them. But the power stroke he showed in spring training had been missing. He began the season 14-for-55 with two doubles and one homer. Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta, two young players the Rockies hoped would show improvement, were trying to dig their way out of huge holes.

--RF Brad Hawpe, out with a contusion on his neck after being hit by a throw from Padres C Nick Hundley on Monday, said he might be able to play Friday at San Francisco, but most likely OF Matt Murton, a right-handed hitter, will get that start, which would be his first with the Rockies. No sense rushing the left-handed-hitting Hawpe back to face LHP Randy Johnson.

--RHP Aaron Cook's victory Wednesday, which was his first in nine starts since Aug. 29, improved his record with the Rockies to 53-44 and tied him for second place in victories on the club's all-time list with Pedro Astacio (53-48). The leader in wins is Jason Jennings. And the fact Cook beat the Padres should come as no surprise. He's 12-4 with a 2.80 ERA lifetime against the Padres in 21 games, 19 starts, and he has more wins against them than any against other club.

--LF Seth Smith is 11-for-23 with one double, two homers and four RBIs in his past 11 games, six of which have been starts.

--RHP Ubaldo Jimenez will try to end a three-start losing streak Friday at San Francisco. In addition to going 0-3, Jimenez has a 12.00 ERA in that stretch, has pitched 4 1/3 innings or less in each game and in a total of 12 innings has allowed 19 hits and 16 runs with 14 walks and 11 strikeouts.

RF Brad Hawpe (sore neck) left the April 27 game and didn't play April 28-29. He is day-to-day.

INF Jeff Baker (sprained left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27.

LHP Franklin Morales (strained left lat) went on the 15-day disabled list April 22.

RHP Ryan Speier (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. He threw a bullpen session April 27.

RHP Taylor Buchholz (partial tear in right ulnar collateral ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 22. The Rockies are being very cautious with Buchholz, trying to make sure the partial tear doesn't become a full-blown one and require Tommy John surgery that would sideline Buchholz for about a year.

LHP Jeff Francis (left shoulder surgery in February 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He likely will miss the entire season. Recovery time ranges from six to 12 months, meaning it's possible Francis could pitch in September but not very likely.