Rockies add White to rotation, move Hammel to bullpen
Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy announced Saturday that Jason Hammel will move to the bullpen and right-hander Alex White will take his spot in the rotation.
White will make his Rockies debut Tuesday against the Houston Astros. Aaron Cook, who had been scheduled to pitch that day will start Wednesday in the series finale against the Astros.
Tracy said of Hammel, “He’s been inconsistent. That is the key term. There’s a human element in this game, and I really feel that I understand that…But there has to be some measure of consistency. And obviously we haven’t seen enough of that as of late to just continue down that path. Can’t do it.”
Hammel, who is signed for next season at $4.75 million, allowed six runs in three innings in Friday’s 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. For the season, Hammel is 7-12 with a 5.24 ERA with a career-high 63 walks in 146 innings.
After going 3-1 with a 3.23 ERA in five April starts, Hammel has gone 4-11 with a 5.77 ERA in 20 starts. He has struggled at Coors Field, where he is 3-9, 6.01 in 13 starts and where opposing hitters are batting .303.
White is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA in four starts at Double-A Tulsa since joining the Rockies. All three earned runs he has allowed came in a one-inning rehab start, his first with the Rockies organization after coming over from the Cleveland Indians in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade.
Awesome. I am actually excited to attend that game now.
Considering that Houston is the worst team in the majors, this might be more like a AAA start for White, easing the transition from AA to the Show.
The Rox might as well see what they have with White sooner rather than later; we know what we have with Hammel, and it ain’t pretty, to say the least.
Whoooo!! Can’t wait to watch Alex White’s Rocky debut. I was not looking forward to going to the game Tuesday with two sorry teams playing against each other in the battle for the basement. Hopefully Drew Pomeranz will follow with a start or two before the season ends.
Where’s my wallet? Stubhub here I come.
With White being added to the Rockies’ roster, who is going off of the roster? Had White already been on the 40 man roster, or does there need to be a move there as well?
This is great news, and sounds like a lot of us who were upset to see Ubaldo go (needed as it was because of the team’s issues), are excited to see what comes next.
Any word on pitch counts and how many innings they want to have him throw this year?
Julian,
White is on the 40 man, but also on the 60 Day Disabled List so a 40 man move will need to be made anyway, and it will almost certainly be Nicasio to the 60 Day DL.
As for a 25 man move, we have Hammel moving to the pen, so the casualty will probably come out of there. If I were to guess, we’ll see Escalona or Roenicke optioned to AAA. That could also be Brothers or Reynolds, easier since we have Romero as an extra lefty, but less likely.
Julian, a person will have to be moved since he is on the 60 day DL. Curious who will be moved but excited for White’s debut.
Back to the BP for Hammel. Not knowing “which Hammel will show up” is not what the Rockies need coming pout of the BP either. I wish the best for him.
I’m sorry I will miss White’s debut with the Rockies. I think the matchup of White vs Bud Norris will be a game worth seeing. Norris is averaging 9 strikeouts per game. How will the Rockies offense do against Norris??????? Hope they give White some run support.
Before everyone gets on this “how bad the Astros are” keep this in mind.
1) They are going for the sweep today against the Giants.
2) Chacin has like a 6.00 era against the Giants
3) The Astros took 2 of 3 from the Cubs. If they win today it will be 5 in a row. They are on a roll right now.
Sorry, I meant to say Chacin has a 6.00 era against the Astros not the Giants
Good move for a change. Hamill is to the Rox what A.J. Burnett is to the Yankees. Typical example of DoD’s horrible judgement of talent to even entertain the notion that Hamill is/would be an effective starter (likewise as an “effective” reliever). He will be gone by next year.
Gotta disagree with you Ariel. Hammel has the arm, but it’s whats between his ears that makes him what he is.