Rockies Briefs VETERAN CATCHER HANIGAN CALLED UP

PHOENIX» As the Rockies opened the second half of their season, they made a significant roster move before Friday night’s game against Arizona by recalling veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioning catcher Tom Murphy.

His primary assignment? Help get the club’s struggling young pitchers back on track.

“I take a lot of pride in that. It’s what I do, working with these younger guys,” said Hanigan, who immediately was put into the starting lineup. “With some of the experience I have, I feel like I can really help these guys. I think I can help (catcher) Tony (Wolters) too.”

Hanigan, 36, appeared in 13 games with Colorado before being optioned to Albuquerque on June 15. He batted .256 with two home runs and eight RBIs for the Rockies. More important, the Rockies had a 3.04 ERA with Hanigan behind the plate.

“He’s got experience and catching wisdom. He gives that veteran presence that I think is comforting to our younger pitchers,” manager Bud Black said. “And I think there is a reassurance too, as the game goes on, and we move later into a game, into a bullpen game. He’s going to have the right feel for a mound visit and the right feel for a pitch. And I think he knows our pitchers, which is neat.”

Murphy, 26, batted .050 (1-for-20) with one double and one RBI in eight games with the Rockies since being reinstated from the 10-day disabled list June 15. He was placed on the DL on April 2 with a right forearm fracture suffered during spring training.

DJ’s status.

Second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who strained his groin during Tuesday night’s loss at San Francisco, was not in the starting lineup Friday, but LeMahieu said he thinks he can avoid the DL.

LeMahieu and outfielders Gerardo Parra (right quadriceps strain) and Carlos Gonzalez (right shoulder strain) all ran and took early batting practice. Gonzalez is eligible to come off the DL on Monday and there is a good chance he will be ready.

Qualls cut loose.

With the return of Jon Gray, the club designated veteran righthander reliever Chad Qualls for assignment. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post