BOSTON — Infielder Brendan Rodgers is pounding on the major-league door. Indeed, he’s pounding so hard that he just might force the Rockies to put him on their roster.
Sooner rather than later.
But it hasn’t happened just yet. Instead, the Rockies on Tuesday recalled utility infielder Pat Valaika from Triple-A Albuquerque, and he started Tuesday night’s game at second base against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In a corresponding move, the Rockies optioned struggling second baseman Garrett Hampson to Triple-A.
Rodgers, just 22, is hitting .436 over his last 10 games with three homers and eight RBIs for the Isotopes. For the season, Colorado’s top prospect has hit .356 with nine home runs and a 1.065 OPS.
Rockies manager Bud Black is fully aware of the damage Rodgers is doing at Triple-A but also notes that Rodgers is “doing it in the minors.”
“He’s in a good spot,” Black said. “He’s doing really well. The reports from (Isotopes manager) Glenallen (Hill) are that he’s swinging well and that he’s in a good spot. We are moving him around the diamond, having him play second and short.”
One of the major reasons the Rockies have not called up Rodgers yet is that he would probably have to share playing time at second base with Ryan McMahon. The Rockies want to ensure that Rodgers — and McMahon — get at-bats on a regular basis. Also, the club his still working with Rodgers, a natural shortstop, to improve his skills at second. Plus, Rogers has only 204 at-bats in 54 games at the Triple-A level.
Still, at some point this season, Rodgers is going to force the Rockies to make a move.
Valaika and Hampson. There is no mystery about why Valaika was called up and Hampson was demoted. The former is hitting, at least at Triple-A, while the latter has struggled against major-league pitching.
Valaika, 26, is back for his second run with the Rockies this season. The first one didn’t go well, as he batted .074 (2-for-27) with three runs scored, one double, four walks and 13 strikeouts over 15 games. But Valaika has raked in his 17 games with Albuquerque, hitting .333 (23-for-69) with eight home runs, one double and 16 RBIs.
Hampson, 24, made the opening-day roster but hit just .194 (18-for-93) with one home run, two doubles, one triple and 26 strikeouts in 31 games.
“This was twofold,” Black said. “Pat was here and went through some hard times, so we sent him back. Some of the things we talked about with Pat, he put into play right away in minor-league games. Right off the bat, he hit with power. So he’s in a good spot, and hopefully he’ll contribute here in the short-term.”
Black said Hampson developed some bad habits at the major-league level.
“Garrett wasn’t getting a ton of at-bats (lately), and we just thought it was time to identify some things with his swing,” Black said. “We had a good conversation with Garrett, and he’s ready to go down there and play his game.”
Anderson update. Left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson visited with a knee specialist in Chicago on Monday, and surgery has definitely become an option.
“They are still sort of formulating a game plan,” Black said. “I think a decision on some surgery is in the works here, probably in the next couple of days.”
Anderson was placed on the injured list April 7 with knee inflammation before returning to the Rockies on April 22. He made three starts but pitched poorly, allowing 16 earned runs and 15 hits over 11 ⅔ innings.
Anderson, a first-round draft pick of the Rockies in 2011, has an ERA of 11.76 and has given up eight home runs in five starts.
On Deck
Rockies RHP German Marquez (4-2, 3.43) vs. Red Sox LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-2, 4.53)
5:10 p.m. Wednesday, Fenway Park
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Marquez, who has never faced the Red Sox, has been a road warrior this season, posting a 1.55 ERA in his first four starts, the best road ERA in the National League among starters and the second-best in the majors. Marquez won his last start, pitching 5⅔ innings vs. San Diego, allowing two runs 10 hits (all singles) and no walks while fanning seven. Rodriguez enters the game with a 12-inning scoreless streak, the Red Sox have won each of his last six starts, and he’s 4-0 with a 2.78 ERA over that span. He has never faced the Rockies.
Trending: The Rockies entered Tuesday’s game at Boston with 16 triples, most in the National League and second-most in the majors.
At issue: The Rockies traditionally struggle to hit on the road, and this season has been no different. They entered Tuesday night’s game with a .217 average on the road (third-worst in the NL) and with a .272 on-base percentage (second-worst). That’s not a good sign. Last year, the Rockies hit a franchise-worst .225 on the road, with a .295 on-base percentage.
Upcoming pitching matchups
Thursday: Off
Friday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (3-3, 4.25 ERA) at Phillies TBA, 5:05 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-2, 5.35) at Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (3-0, 4.86), 2:05 p.m., ATTRM
