Rockies report: Baker on the bench

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 21, 2008 at 12:35 a.m.

Text size

He said it

"When you get sent back because you are not good enough, you have to say, 'Okay, what do I need to do?' He was sent down with specific things to work on with his stroke. He came back with a much better approach at the plate,"

Hurdle, on third baseman Ian Stewart, who is hitting .333 (33-for-99) with eight doubles, six homers and 32 RBI in 30 games, 27 starts, since being recalled.

Rockies quick links

Drew on Baseball

Scores and statistics

More Colorado Rockies

More stories »

LOS ANGELES — Infielder Jeff Baker has found himself watching from the bench recently with Clint Barmes receiving the bulk of playing time at second base. Baker was hitting .302 after the Rockies completed a three-game sweep in Cincinnati on July 27, but he's 4-for-48 since, dropping his average to .262.

"We have to find a way to get him back into play, but we also are at a pivotal point of the season, where we need production," manager Clint Hurdle said.

Complicating the situation is that Hurdle has liked the way Willy Taveras has responded in the last week to hitting second, which was where Baker had hit in the lineup. Barmes has taken over at the leadoff spot, which Hurdle said isn't an option for Baker.

UP AGAIN

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Speier has been called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs three times this season, including Wednesday when right-hander Matt Herges was placed on the disabled list with lower-back tightness.

Hurdle said the back problem has persisted, so the decision was made to shelve Herges so he could have several days of complete rest and then start working on his mechanics before going on a medical rehab assignment.

Etc.

Outfielder Scott Podsednik most likely will be activated on Friday when the Rockies return to Coors Field for a three-game series, according to manager Clint Hurdle. Podsednik was 1-for-3 on Wednesday for Triple-A Colorado Springs in the third game on his medical rehab assignment. Podsednik played center field on Wednesday after serving as a DH the first two games. He is 6-for-12 with two stolen bases for the SkySox. . . . Catcher Chris Iannetta had X-rays taken of his bruised left foot on Wednesday and they were negative. Iannetta should return to the lineup by Friday. The Rockies currently have a third catcher, Adam Melhuse, on the roster as protection but that most likely that will change when Podsednik is activated. . . . Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, who has a pulled muscle in his left side, was given medical clearance to begin his medical rehab assignment with the SkySox tonight. . . . Atkins is 0-for-13 lifetime against Billingsley, including grounding into a bases-loaded double play to end the fifth inning Wednesday. . . . Dodger catcher Danny Ardoin's stolen base in the second inning was the second of his big-league career. Ardoin, appearing in his 154th big-league game, also stole a base when he was with the Rockies against the Chicago White Sox on June 7, 2005. . . . Hurdle saved the lineup card from Tuesday's victory, which was the 500th win of his managerial career.

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News