Thursday Rockpile: Matzek impresses in big league debut

Tyler Matzek masters Braves in major league debut for Rockies - The Denver Post
Patrick Saunders has a full recap of Matzek's outing in last night's 8-2 win over the Braves that saw the Rockies rookie retire the first 13 batters he faced en route to allowing two runs in seven innings of work.

Matzek savors victory after tough road to bigs - MLB.com
Tracy Ringolsby talks about the tough, winding road Matzek took to the majors and one his first big league win means to the Rockies lefty.

Carlos Gonzalez could be out of the lineup for five weeks - The Denver Post
The Denver Post's Rockies beat writers collaborate on a piece on Carlos Gonzalez's finger surgery in which "a fatty mass with tentacles coming out" was removed according to Rockies trainer Keith Duggar. With a thing like that in his finger, no wonder he couldn't hit.

Pitching prospect Winkler to have Tommy John - MLB.com
In other injury news, Thomas Harding and Cody Ulm report that Rockies prospect Dan Winkler will undergo Tommy John surgery after injuring his elbow. Winkler was 5-2 with a 1.41 ERA in Tulsa this season.

Bullpen sessions next for Anderson, Chatwood - MLB.com
In brighter news, Harding and Ulm report that Brett Anderson and Tyler Chatwood will both throw bullpens on Friday as they recover from injuries, with Anderson expected back in the Rockies rotation in early July and Chatwood after the All-Star break.

Rockies Mailbag: Should Dick Monfort hire someone to fill the void left by Keli McGregor? - The Denver Post
In his mailbag column, Saunders addresses the Rockies' presidency among other issues including Rex Brothers and the team's lack of a true "ace."

Around MLB

Reminder: Stephen Strasburg Is Still Really, Really Good - Fangraphs
Fangraphs' Mike Petriello checks in with the top overall pick from the 2009 draft, in which Matzek was taken 11th, and reminds us all that despite the lack of hype lately, the Nationals' ace has been dominant this season.

When the defense looks shifty... - ESPN.com
ESPN's Michael Kinsley takes a look at the emergence of defensive shifts throughout baseball and how hitters are beginning to adjust to them.