Colorado Rockies Roster Report 2009-05-04

The Rockies failed in an attempt to win consecutive series for the first time in 2009 and have fallen a season-most 7-1/2 games behind the torrid Dodgers. During their current 19-game stretch of consecutive games against NL West clubs, the Rockies have gone 5-10. They are getting consistent starts from RHP Jason Marquis, and RHPs Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez were effective in their last outings, a hopeful sign that their slumps are over. Fifth starter RHP Jason Hammel had his best game of the year with six scoreless innings Sunday, and LHP Jorge De La Rosa has a 3.57 ERA, second only to Marquis (3.31) among the starters, but the bullpen has blown leads in two of his starts. The bullpen is again in flux with Huston Street regaining the closer's role, Manuel Corpas going back to the middle of the game -- and maybe the minors -- and manager Clint Hurdle is left to mix and match with RHPs Jason Grilli and Matt Belisle and LHP Alan Embree in the seventh and eighth. In games decided in the seventh inning or later, the Rockies are 0-7, which is their record in one-run games and indicative of their inability to get a big hit.

--OF Matt Murton was recalled from Class AAA Colorado Springs on April 29 when IF Jeff Baker was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27 with a sprained left hand. Murton struck out as a pinch hitter in his Rockies debut April 29 but two days later made his first Rockies start and went 2-for-4.

--RF Brad Hawpe suffered a neck contusion when Padres C Nick Hundley hit him with a throw on a pick-off attempt at second base in the sixth inning April 27. Hawpe, a left-handed hitter, was ready to play May 1 but didn't because Giants LHP Randy Johnson was pitching. After Johnson left the game, Hawpe pinch hit in the ninth and flied out. He returned to the lineup May 2 and homered off RHP Matt Cain.

--RHP Ubaldo Jimenez has a four-game losing streak, which is tied with Manny Parra of the Brewers for the longest in the NL in 2009.

--LHP Greg Smith (left shoulder fatigue) was acquired from the A's in the November deal for LF Matt Holliday and is scheduled to make his second start Monday in extended spring training. He pitched four innings (49 pitches, 33 strikes) April 28 in his first extended spring training game, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts.

RF Brad Hawpe (sore neck) left the April 27 game and didn't play April 28-29. He pinch-hit May 1, and he was back in the lineup May 2.

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.