Rotation insurance quite pleasing

Rookie Jimenez, Lawrence making good impressions

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 21, 2007 at midnight

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TUCSON - Brian Lawrence and Ubaldo Jimenez most likely will claim a spot in the Rockies rotation this season. It just isn't likely to happen for either by Opening Day.

They both took advantage of the opportunity to reinforce their potential worth in a 4-2 exhibition victory against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at Hi Corbett Field.

While Jason Hirsh, moments after being officially told he would be the No. 4 starter, was "getting in his work" and rediscovering his slider in a six-inning, six-run effort in a minor league game, Lawrence rebounded from a game- opening home run by Alfonso Soriano to allow one more run in five innings against the Cubs.

With the aid of two double plays, Lawrence faced only 15 batters to get the final 14 outs.

Jimenez followed with four shutout innings.

Lawrence, who underwent shoulder surgery in March 2006 and didn't pitch last year, is expected to start the season in extended spring training, continuing to build durability after not facing a batter from October 2005 until earlier this month.

Jimenez is targeted to start the season with Triple-A Colorado Springs, the next step in his progression through the Rockies system.

The Rockies have set the first four spots in the rotation - Aaron Cook on Opening Day followed by Jeff Francis, Rodrigo Lopez and Hirsh.

They appear to be deciding between Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg for the fifth spot. That decision possibly hinges on whether they can trade Kim, who has created tepid interest from Oakland, Texas and Florida.

Manager Clint Hurdle, though, isn't pretending the decision that is made for the Opening Day roster will be irrevocable.

"Whichever five starters we open the season with might not be the five who end the season," he said.

The inference is simple.

With what the Rockies have seen from Lawrence and Jimenez, the Rockies expect both to push the issue before long on earning a spot in the majors.

That means the five starters who are at Coors Field on Opening Day will need to continue to perform or a replacement will be in the wings.

That was the idea general manager Dan O'Dowd repeatedly brought up during the offseason, when he was trying to fill out the spring training roster.

"We want an inventory that creates difficult decisions," he said.

That's what the Rockies have because of the efforts of Lawrence, who won 15 games in 2004 with the San Diego Padres, and Jimenez, one of the prime prospects out of the Rockies' revved- up program in Latin America.

They both would like to get a shot sooner rather than later but realize the important thing is to make a good impression.

"Time is his ally," Hurdle said of Lawrence.

Right now, Lawrence feels "great." But there also is the concern that at some point in his rehabilitation, after not pitching for so long, there will be some aches and pains that could sideline him briefly.

The Rockies would prefer he gets past that stage before they open a major league spot for him.

"I have to show them I am able to throw deep into a game and not put a strain on the bullpen," Lawrence said. "I feel better than I have in a long time. . . . They want to play it safe, but I feel I am where I need to be. They definitely have the luxury of having enough pitchers to do whatever they need to do. It's their decision."

Jimenez had a major league glimpse in September, pitching once in relief, then starting the final game of the season after opening the year with Double-A Tulsa (Okla.), then making only 13 starts with Colorado Springs.

"He's closing ground," Hurdle said. "He had another confidence- builder (Tuesday). How can it not go up after a day like (Tuesday)?"

Hirsh has been getting in his work, and in the minor league environment Tuesday, felt he made a major stride by "tweaking" the grip on his slider and suddenly reclaiming the hard breaking pitch in his final three innings.

"It's a big step," he said. "My slider opens up all my other pitches."

Rockies 4, Cubs 2

E - DeRosa. DP - Chicago Cubs 1, Colorado 3. LOB - Chicago Cubs 8, Colorado 10. 2B - Pagan, Tulowitzki, Holliday. HR - Soriano. SB - Taveras. SF - Carroll.

WP - Lilly, Lawrence.

T - 2:26. A - 6,023.

Today's game

Rockies (Josh Fogg) vs. Mariners (Miguel Batista), 2:05 p.m. MDT, Hi Corbett Field (FSN; no radio).

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