Rodgers on majors’ doorstep, but not ready yet

BOSTON» Infielder Brendan Rodgers is pounding on the majorleague door. Indeed, he’s pounding so hard that he just might force the Rockies to put him on their roster.

Sooner rather than later. But it hasn’t happened just yet. Instead, the Rockies on Tuesday recalled utility infielder Pat Valaika from Triple-A Albuquerque, and he started Tuesday night’s game at second base against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In a corresponding move, the Rockies optioned struggling second baseman Garrett Hampson to Triple-A.

Rodgers, just 22, is hitting .436 over his last 10 games with three homers and eight RBIs for the Isotopes. For the season, Colorado’s top prospect has hit .356 with nine home runs and a 1.065 OPS.

Rockies manager Bud Black is fully aware of the damage Rodgers is doing at Triple-A but also notes that Rodgers is “doing it in the minors.”

“He’s in a good spot,” Black said. “He’s doing really well. The reports from (Isotopes manager) Glenallen (Hill) are that he’s swinging well and that he’s in a good spot. We are moving him around the diamond, having him play second and short.”

One of the major reasons the Rockies have not called up Rodgers yet is that he would probably have to share playing time at second base with Ryan McMahon. The Rockies want to ensure that Rodgers — and McMahon — get at-bats on a regular basis. Also, the club his still working with Rodgers, a natural shortstop, to improve his skills at second. Plus, Rogers has only 204 at-bats in 54 games at the Triple-A level.

Valaika and Hampson.

There is no mystery about why Valaika was called up and Hampson was demoted. The former is hitting, at least at Triple-A, while the latter has struggled against majorleague pitching.

Valaika, 26, is back for his second run with the Rockies this season. The first one didn’t go well, as he batted .074 (2-for-27) with three runs scored, one double, four walks and 13 strikeouts over 15 games. But Valaika has raked in his 17 games with Albuquerque, hitting .333 (23for-69) with eight home runs, one double and 16 RBIs.

Hampson, 24, made the opening-day roster but hit just .194 (18for-93) with one home run, two doubles, one triple and 26 strikeouts in 31 games.