Bridich coveted Oh for a while
Athletics LHP Brett Anderson (1-2, 6.08 ERA) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-3, 5.55), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
It’s been mixed results for Anderson in the three outings since he was activated from the disabled list July 8, but his last start was a quality one. The southpaw went six innings and allowed two runs last week at Texas. Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon have had success in small sample sizes against Anderson, each hitting .385 (5-for13) while Arenado has a home run and four RBIs. Meanwhile, Senzatela’s first start since coming off the disabled list (middle finger blister) was a bit rocky, as the right-hander was hit for four runs in five innings in a loss at Arizona last week. He has never faced the Athletics. Sunday: Athletics RHP Frankie Montas (5-2, 3.35) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (8-8, 5.00), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM Monday: Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (6-3, 3.57) at Cardinals RHP Carlos Martinez (6-6, 3.39), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM Tuesday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (8-7, 5.16) at Cardinals RHP Jack Flaherty (4-5, 3.28), 6:15 p.m., ATTRM
New Rockies right-hander Seunghwan Oh, being counted on to stabilize the bullpen as the club makes a run at the postseason, was a no-show Friday at Coors Field.
Literally, not figuratively. Travel complications coming out of Toronto prevented Oh from greeting his new teammates and making his Colorado debut. But it’s clear that the Rockies coveted the 36-year-old Oh and believe he’s an excellent addition.
“We saw in 2016 what he could do — he had a spectacular year in the (Cardinals’) bullpen,” general manager Jeff Bridich said Friday, referring to Oh’s 19 saves, 1.92 ERA and 104 strikeouts, the third-most by a reliever in St. Louis history behind Mark Littell (120 in 1978) and Trevor Rosenthal. “He had a little bit lesser of a year in ’17. He was utilized a lot, probably wore down a little bit, and we felt like he was a very good bounce-back candidate. That’s why we did a lot of research and work on him in the winter.”
Manager Bud Black has viewed Oh “from afar,” and he liked what he saw.
“I really like the way he threw,” Black said. “The fastball really carried and there was a hop to the fastball, even though the fastball, on a scouting scale, is just major-league average.
“This guy can pitch, that’s what I like. He can hold runners, field his position, all the things you look for in a very competent bigleague pitcher.”
Oh was dealt to Colorado from the Blue Jays on Thursday in exchange for minor-league infielder Chad Spanberger, minorleague outfielder Forrest Wall and a player to be named later. Oh was 4-3 with two saves, a 2.68 ERA, 10 walks and 55 strikeouts in 48 relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season. He’s pitched well lately, being scored upon just twice in his last 21 games since June 7, going 3-1 with one save and posting a 0.90 ERA.
Black believes Oh has the tools to be utilized late in games, against either righthanded hitters or lefties. Still, that doesn’t mean Oh is a savior for a bullpen that entered Friday’s game against Oakland with a 5.26 ERA, the worst in the National League. Colorado’s bullpen has a 7.93 ERA in the seventh inning, making it difficult to form a bridge to Adam Ottavino in the eighth and closer Wade Davis in the ninth.
Although there are four days remaining before Tuesday’s nonwaiver trade deadline, and although Bridich said there is a chance the Rockies could make another move, it appears that they won’t add a left-handed reliever. That puts pressure on those pitchers who have underachieved thus far, particularly lefties Jake McGee and Chris Rusin, as well as allpurpose right-hander Bryan Shaw.
“Jake McGee can take a step up, be more consistent, which we believe he will,” Bridich said. “I feel like a healthy Harrison Musgrave (just back from the disabled list) is also a big part of that.
“Bryan Shaw does equally well against lefties in his career as he does against righties. There are some pieces, and we are very hopeful that Chris’ injury is not a protracted one.”
Rusin went on the DL on Tuesday with planter fasciitis.
Asked if moves made at the trade deadline can make a major difference as his team attempts to stay in the playoff hunt, Bridich answered: “This time of year is not going to solve every single thing on your team or your roster. Can it help? Yes.”
Catching
The Rockies have been carrying three catchers on their active roster — Chris Iannetta, Tom Murphy and Tony Wolters — and Bridich said it was unlikely he would seek a trade.
“We’re getting more questions from teams asking if we would trade them catching than us reaching out to anybody,” he said.
Roster questions. moves.
Outfielder Raimel Tapia was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque to make room for right-handed starter German Marquez, who came off paternity leave and is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against the A’s. Also, outfielder David Dahl was reinstated from the disabled list after breaking his right foot on May 30. He was also optioned to Triple-A, and there is no timetable as to when he might rejoin the big-league team.
Left-hander Mike Dunn (left AC joint inflammation) was moved from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. That move allowed Colorado to make room on its 40-man roster for Oh.