LOS ANGELES — Rockies right-hander José Ureña loves pitching at Dodger Stadium — a truth price noting as a result of his six innings of one-run ball Monday evening lowered his ERA within the venue to 1.26. It’s simply three appearances, however that’s inappropriate.
If the Rockies have their approach, and if (as Rockies supervisor Bud Black believes) it’s additionally Ureña’s need, he’ll be throwing right here as a Rockie extra subsequent season.
Ureña, 31, held the Dodgers to 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks within the 2-1 victory — received by Michael Toglia, who shook off three inning-ending strikeouts and delivered a two-out RBI single within the ninth inning.
Second-year reliever Justin Lawrence, being fed extra essential conditions within the season’s closing days, allowed successful within the ninth, however earned his first Main League save.
Ureña’s begin mirrored a lot of his work since he joined the Rockies in Could, and all of his work of late. He has thrown 5 or extra innings with two or fewer earned runs in six of his final seven begins.
Monday additionally marked the unimaginable 14th time in his 17 begins through which the Rockies have managed two or fewer runs. He left Monday with the rating tied at 1.
Nonetheless, he could also be again for extra.
“The best way he’s thrown, we’re going to take a look at it when he goes into free company,” Black mentioned. “And in all honesty, he’s going to do the identical, because it pertains to us. In order that’s a very good factor.”
Ureña’s greatest blemish was Trayce Thompson’s one-out homer within the third inning. However after studying Dodgers swings he leaned closely on his sinking fastball and compelled 9 grounders.
Maintaining the ball on the bottom can result in success in Denver. And he discovered a measure of happiness there, too.
“I mentioned it very first thing: I’m so grateful for this group, what they did for me,” Ureña mentioned. “I’d be open. I wish to play right here.”
The anticipated 2023 rotation contains Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez, who made changes and fought via struggles this 12 months however imagine they’re seasoned for a turnaround, and Antonio Senzatela, who is anticipated to overlook the primary month whereas finishing rehab from left ACL surgical procedure. Whereas Ryan Feltner, who will begin Tuesday, and Austin Gomber, who was faraway from the rotation this 12 months, however is taken into account a starter, will compete for spots, the Rockies want one other veteran.
The Rockies have gone a pair many years not bidding on the highest pitching free brokers, having realized {that a} pitcher with decisions will cost extra in {dollars} and years to think about making Coors his residence. Trades are a chance and the Rockies have indicated they are going to focus on prospects, which hasn’t at all times been the case prior to now. However that buying and selling capital is perhaps used to acquire a frontline heart fielder.
That’s why Ureña — seemingly greater than Chad Kuhl, who spent the season within the rotation — intrigues the Rockies.
Ureña, who’s heading into his ninth season, had stable years with the Marlins in 2017 (3.82 ERA) and 2018 (3.98). Whereas Ureña’s 5.01 ERA this 12 months — which included a 3.52 mark in 4 aid appearances with the Brewers, who launched him on the finish of April — isn’t one a crew builds its offseason technique round, he has proven the pitch improvement, with an enhancing slider and changeup, that might imply a revival.
“He’s proven the sturdiness to make his begins, make each aspect session, and inside that he’s held his stuff. Each begin, stuff-wise, has been as constant as a beginning pitcher could be,” Black mentioned. “By that I imply velocity vary on the fastball, motion to the fastball, the velocities and motion on his secondary pitches. He has not in any begin had much less stuff than any earlier begin.”
The entrance workplace and training employees level to Ureña’s meticulous and effort-filled preparation. If he re-signs, his instance might help a rising listing of youthful starters who aren’t prepared for the Majors, however can profit by studying.
“I got here out to get him as we speak for the scouting assembly, and he’s within the weight room, doing weighted ball stuff,” pitching coach Darryl Scott mentioned. “That is two hours earlier than the sport, when a number of guys are relaxed, chilled out. Half the time after I get to the park I see him on the bike. Subsequent time I see him lifting. You have a look at the physique. That doesn’t occur by probability.”
