Wednesday Rockpile: Aaron Cook to skip last start of the season; Jason Hirsh to take mound instead

by Russ Oates on Sep 24, 2008 7:42 AM MDT in Rockpile

Aaron Cook admitted yesterday to "some tightness in getting loose for his two previous starts," and as a result he will not start Friday night against the Diamondbacks. Instead, Jason Hirsh will make his first and only start of the 2008 season. In three relief appearances, this is what Hirsh has done for the Rockies this season:

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Jason Hirsh	0-0	3	0	0	0	0	0	4.1	10	7	5	1	2	2	10.38	2.77

Maybe this will be a good way for Hirsh to start his bid early for a spot in the 2009 rotation. The first three spots are already locked up (in no particular order) with Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, and Ubaldo Jimenez. Hirsh, Greg Reynolds, and Franklin Morales [EDIT]and Jorge De La Rosa[/EDIT] are likely to battle for those final two spots with whomever the Rockies bring in to compete. I guess we could also throw in Brandon Hynick and Sean Smith. Of course, we won't have to watch tonight's starter, Livan Hernandez, take part in the competition. We won't have that nightmare haunting us throughout the off season.

As for Cook, his decision to skip his final start is a good one. Sure, we'd like to see him win a 17th game, but he'll have more chances to win 17 games in the seasons ahead.

Clint Hurdle takes responsibility for this season and says it's on him for the team to play better baseball. But for how much longer will it be his responsibility?

Jack Etkin looks at Rai Henninger, who was injured in 2007 during a fireworks display.

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Oh really, Clint?

I like Hurdle’s quote:

We have three significant areas to improve upon: pitching, defense and offense.

by DeepPurple on Sep 24, 2008 8:46 AM MDT reply actions

In other words,

Play better baseball.

"Never Surrender Dreams" - Inscription on J. Michael Straczynski's bench

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Sep 24, 2008 8:51 AM MDT up reply actions

He left out #4...

managing.

by 4thturn on Sep 24, 2008 6:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Jorge

I would think that DLR might have a thing or 2 to say about one of those spots, too.

by roxhead on Sep 24, 2008 10:24 AM MDT reply actions

Yeah, he should be up there.

Unfortunately, I’m having a problem editing it right now.

"Never Surrender Dreams" - Inscription on J. Michael Straczynski's bench

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Sep 24, 2008 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions

Considering his second half

I’m ready to pencil him in the fourth spot.

by Tom (RFTN) on Sep 24, 2008 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions

I'd rather pencil him as the fifth

But that would mean something interesting happens over the offseason. I’ll say that I’m not overly optimistic about getting something thrilling there, but we’ll see I suppose.

You know you want to check out Matt's Korea blog: http://koreamatt.wordpress.com

by MattTheRock on Sep 24, 2008 1:07 PM MDT up reply actions