SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -The Colorado Rockies planned to option starting pitcher Franklin Morales to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday so the left-hander can work out his struggles.
Morales dropped to 1-2 after losing to the San Francisco Giants on Monday. He gave up four runs and six hits with five walks in only 4 1-3 innings.
“At this point in time there’s just some inconsistencies that I don’t see getting any better at this level,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “It’s hard to re-create the environment that he needs to be challenged in but this one is providing a various assortment of challenges.
“If we get him out of this environment and into one that he might be able to find a better comfort zone, he can address them one by one and find his way back.”
Morales, who excelled as a rookie during the stretch run last season when the Rockies won 21 of 22 games and advanced to the World Series, hasn’t been the same pitcher this year. He has a 6.39 ERA, and has allowed 28 hits and 17 walks in 25 1-3 innings. He has struck out nine batters.
Hurdle noted that Morales has had particular problems with his command and velocity.
“There’s a number of things that we’ve continued to address,” Hurdle said. “We haven’t seen what other people have seen, as far as velocity. Command issues have (also) come and gone.”
Colorado also sent right-hander Kip Wells back to Denver to see a hand specialist. Wells walked the only two batters he faced in relief Monday and threw only nine pitches before being removed from the game.
Utilityman Jeff Baker, who has started five games at second this season, was scratched from the lineup against the Giants Tuesday night after he broke a blood vessel in his hand. Clint Barmes moved from shortstop to second base and slumping Troy Tulowitzki, who was getting a night off, was inserted into the lineup.
Tulowtizki hurt himself making a play in the bottom of the first and left the game with what appeared to be a back or hip injury. Backup catcher Chris Iannetta came into the game to play third base, Garrett Atkins moved from third to second, and Barmes took over at short.
Atkins and Iannetta made their first major league appearances at second and third, respectively.
In addition, Hurdle said left-hander Mark Redman will skip his next start because of a day off and will work out of the bullpen until returning to the rotation on May 6. Jeff Francis will take Redman’s turn in the rotation and start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
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