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Carlos Gonzalez News & Rumors

Rockies' Gonzalez has been sizzling at plate during homestand
May 4
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez' s elegant, powerful swing launched two home runs Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field. Both came against Los Angeles Dodgers lefty and reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw in the Rockies' 8-5 victory. But the home runs don't fully explain the hot streak CarGo carries into tonight's game against the Atlanta Braves. You must also examine Gonzalez's reaction to failure on Tuesday night in order to gauge his maturation as a hitter. With two out and Wilin Rosario on third base, closer Javy Guerra struck out Gonzalez to close out a 7-6 victory. Gonzalez, furious with himself, smashed his bat."
Rockies add Escalona, send Chatwood to Triple-A; CarGo returns
April 18
Denver Post
 
"Tyler Chatwood always saw the bullpen as a layover. He is a starter and will now get that chance again, albeit in Triple-A. The hard-throwing right-hander was sent to the Sky Sox today as the Rockies added reliever Edger Escalona to protect a taxed bullpen. "I understand what they are doing. The bullpen thing was weird because I really didn't have a routine," Chatwood said. "I can learn from this, though. I look forward to starting again.""
Rockies' CarGo hopeful will return to lineup Tuesday
April 17
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez took batting practice and shagged flyballs Monday and said after the Rockies' 7-1 loss to the Padres that he could be in the lineup Tuesday. "I want to be in there. I am feeling a lot better," Gonzalez told The Post. "It depends on how I feel when I wake up. But I want to play." Gonzalez admitted he lost weight and was weak from his illness. At one point over the weekend, his fever approached 105 degrees. Antibiotics have helped, but his strength remains an issue."
CarGo sits out with strep throat
April 15
MLB.com
 
"Left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who played Friday with strep throat and went 2-for-5, was not in the lineup Saturday. Asked if Gonzalez was completely unavailable on Saturday, Manager Jim Tracy said, "I won't pin myself down 100 percent, but I would probably say that there's a strong chance that he would be unavailable." Tyler Colvin replaced Gonzalez in left field, and hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat. His other start this season was in center field, last Sunday in Houston. Troy Tulowitzki moved from fourth to third in the batting order, with Todd Helton and Michael Cuddyer moving up one spot, from fifth and sixth to fourth and fifth."
Gonzalez triples — twice
April 12
Denver Post
 
"When CarGo is feeling it, he delivers. Carlos Gonzalez blasted two RBI triples off Giants ace Tim Lincecum. The first was an opposite-field shot in the first inning; the second, a drive to right in the third. It was the 16th time a Rockies player mashed two triples in a game."
CarGo a big deal at spring training with added muscle
February 25
Denver Post
 
"He's no longer the "Little Pony." "Caballo" is more like it. Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez lifted more heavily this winter and arrived in camp thicker and stronger. He plans to lose 10 pounds in spring training, but right now the difference between September is startling. He weighs 225 pounds compared with 205 then. "I will drop weight just chasing after flyballs and running the bases down here," Gonzalez said. "I feel strong. I don't know if there's a difference in my hitting." He's been launching missiles in batting practice, leaving kids scrambling for souvenirs nearly 450 feet from the plate. Gonzalez showed his strength Friday, pushing Dexter Fowler roughly 50 yards in a golf"
Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez prepares for return to greatness
January 27
Denver Post
 
"Headaches replaced goose bumps. A year later, Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez can easily identify when his 2011 season unraveled. "I didn't prepare myself the way I should have. I wasn't ready," said Gonzalez, who showed up at spring training heavier than was expected a year ago. "It was a big difference from 2010. It was difficult to do anything — to train and work out without all the attention and (media) always asking me questions. I forget what I was doing. This winter, it was a lot easier to be normal. I don't miss the craziness.""
Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez should be fine by spring training, publicist says
January 12
Denver Post
 
"When healthy, Carlos Gonzalez has proved to be one of the National League's top players. Without him last season, the Rockies were exposed, losing games and ultimately hope. After missing 33 games with multiple injuries to his right wrist, Gonzalez has healed this winter and will arrive at spring training with no limitations. "That's what we've been told," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said."
NL errs by omitting Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez from Gold Glove finalists
November 1
Denver Post
 
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, so Kim Kardashian is getting divorced before the catering bill arrives. Can we please get to Monday's really big news? The Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez wasn't named a finalist for the Gold Glove in left field. No, we're not making this up. CarGo apparently didn't scale enough walls, steal enough doubles or throw out enough runners to qualify for consideration for his second Gold Glove in two years. Matt Holliday? He was last seen dropping a popup in the World Series, but he's one of the three finalists for tonight's awards show on ESPN2. The others: Milwaukee's Ryan Braun?, whose defensive issues at third base prompted the Brewers to move him to left, and Arizona's Gerardo"
Rockies' Tulowitzki, Gonzalez on schedule with injury recovery
October 18
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies' dream of returning to a World Series in their 20th season hinges on a better roster and improved health from its top players. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez told The Denver Post on Monday that injuries that sidelined them in September are healing as scheduled. Tulowitzki had just 35 at-bats in the final month and started just two times after Sept. 13 because of bursitis in his left hip. "It got better from rest. I have started doing light workouts," Tulowitzki said."
Carlos Gonzalez set for wrist exam, probably done for season
September 25
Denver Post
 
"The right side of his mouth swollen from a wisdom tooth extraction, his right wrist in a brace, Carlos Gonzalez looked like he lost a fight with an airbag. "I have felt better," he said with a smile. After rejoining the Rockies on Saturday, Gonzalez admitted that he doesn't expect to be able to play again this season. He will have the bone bruise and inflamed tendons in his wrist examined by San Francisco 49ers? team doctor Tim McAdams on Monday. It is considered a precaution. "We just want to make sure we are doing everything we can before we send him out for the offseason," Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger said."
Carlos Gonzalez' versatility hurts chances for Gold Glove
September 18
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez could hear the doubters, the ones who questioned his breakout 2010 season because of his huge offensive numbers at Coors Field. That's one of the reasons winning a Gold Glove was so important to CarGo. They could question his numbers, and they did, most notably Chipper Jones. But they couldn't question his glove. "It's special to me," Gonzalez said. Last September, he was hoping to win a Gold Glove. But things are different this year. This time, he's expecting to win one. "I think there's a great chance you'll see that happen," he said. "I've played all three different positions, I've played them really well and I lead the league in outfield assists.""
Little injuries take Tulowitzki, CarGo, Helton out of Rockies' lineup
September 12
Denver Post
 
"Drew Pomeranz peeked at the lineup, and his eyes widened a bit. He wasn't sharing the spotlight with anyone Sunday. All-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki? sat out for the second time in two days with stiffness in his left hip and will undergo an examination to determine whether he has bursitis. He could miss the two-game Milwaukee series. Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez was a late scratch with back stiffness. Todd Helton? sat out for the sixth time in the last seven games with back pain, but he remained hopeful that it will improve following a cortisone shot. Tulowitzki's left hip began tightening as he ran the bases in the later innings of Saturday's win over the Reds. "I hate watching. I"
Carlos Gonzalez's request of Rockies: "We need help"
September 11
Denver Post
 
"Is it time to have second thoughts about reaching first place with homegrown players? Consecutive disappointing seasons have fostered frustration, creating questions about the Rockies' future. Namely, can the Rockies rebound without spending money on proven players while the farm system replenishes itself at the top levels? "We need help," said outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, a Rockies star with Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton?. "Tulo and I did great last year and what did it get us? Nothing. We are doing good this year, and Todd's done great, and the same thing. We need some pitching. Winning is all that matters. Not personal stats.""
Ejections of CarGo, Tracy set tone for Rockies' 4-1 loss to Reds
September 10
Denver Post
 
"Typically, when a team has more ejections than runs, it loses. Such was the case on an odd Friday night at Coors Field. A paid crowd of 40,114 watched as evaluation gave way to frustration in the Rockies' 4-1 loss to the Reds. The game began with Troy Tulowitzki sitting out for precautionary reasons with tightness in his left hip. It ended without Carlos Gonzalez and manager Jim Tracy, ejected for loose lips in the fifth inning. "I just couldn't control myself. I know I shouldn't have done it, but those were bad calls. If I get myself out or the pitcher does, fine. The umpire got me out," Gonzalez said. "What was I supposed to say, 'thank you'? ""
CarGo tagged with NL player of the week award
August 31
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"Fresh off a week that netted him a .481 batting average with three home runs and 10 RBIs, Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez on Monday was named National League player of the week."
Rockies needing more than Tulo, CarGo
August 29
Denver Post
 columnist Troy E. Renck
"The Rockies are determined to add a veteran pitcher and at least one more big bat. That slugger will either be an outfielder or third baseman. They will pursue the Twins' Michael Cuddyer if he becomes a free agent (Minnesota is bent on keeping him). Oakland's Josh Willingham is another option. With apologies to Kevin Kouzmanoff's performance the last few days, third base has been a problem the entire season. Ian Stewart was hurt, didn't hit and now is hurt again, a wrist injury possibly ending his year. Ty Wigginton showed potential in June to be the everyday guy, but he has struggled to hit with runners in scoring position. He has lost time during every experiment this year, from Jose"
Carlos Gonzalez helps Rockies defeat Dodgers 7-6
August 29
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez doesn't get paid to hit. He gets paid to multitask, and you could argue that no player in the major leagues does it as well as CarGo. How deep does his tool drawer run? On the same day he didn't drive in a run for the first time in 12 games, he stole two runs, potentially three, from the Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium in a game the Rockies won 7-6. Three words: Do the math. Technically, Rafael Betancourt got the save in a game that enabled the Rockies to avoid a three-game sweep. But everyone who saw Gonzalez's catch to end the fourth inning knew better. "That catch," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, "was the play of the day." If Gonzalez didn't make a diving catch on"
Rockies believe they still can make a postseason push
August 26
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies are everything baseball is not. In a game of methodical movement and purposeful trudging, the Rockies feature sudden epiphanies. They typically occur every August just as their season slips toward irrelevancy. So it is as the Rockies begin a nine-game road trip tonight in Los Angeles in the middle of one of their trademark late-season bursts. A 7-2 homestand, combined with slumps by the teams ahead of them, breathed life back into the Rockies. Now comes the hard part — picking up ground while on the road. "It's time," said closer Huston Street, who rejoined the club Thursday and is expected to be activated for tonight's game. The Rockies overcame deficits in 2007 and 2009 to"
CarGo, White get rehab stints under way
August 5
MLB.com
 
"Two key members of the Rockies -- one more familiar to fans than the other -- started injury rehab assignments on Thursday night. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, out with strained ligaments in his left wrist, was supposed to begin playing at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday, but the game was rained out. So on Thursday he was scheduled to play seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader, and then stay in the second game long enough for an at-bat. Right-handed pitcher Alex White, obtained from the Indians in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, gave up a single and a three-run homer in one inning for Double-A Tulsa on Thursday. White, who pitched for the Indians earlier this year and is"
Carlos Gonzalez feeling great entering his Triple-A rehab assignment
August 3
Denver Post
 
"This was the fear when Carlos Gonzalez swung awkwardly at a fastball July 21, straining ligaments in his right wrist. He was always going to be back, but would there be any meaningful games left? The answer, it appears, is no. The Rockies are 4-7 since Gonzalez went on the disabled list, and that doesn't count the games he missed while trying to nurse the injury before the all-star break. After another successful round of batting practice Tuesday before the Rockies played the Phillies, Gonzalez begins a three-game rehab assignment tonight at Triple-A Colorado Springs and should rejoin the Rockies on Saturday."
Carlos Gonzalez shows progress, hopes for quick return
August 1
Denver Post
 
"Lost in Ubaldo Jimenez's exit and Tim Tebow?'s first training camp pass, Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is making improvement. Gonzalez strained ligaments in his right wrist on an awkward swing against the Braves on July 21. He will take batting practice today with the team on the field for the first time since suffering the injury. "It's getting better every day. I want to get back out there as soon as I can. I don't want to take more than 15 days (on the disabled list)," said Gonzalez, who is hitting .289 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs."
Rockies put Carlos Gonzalez on 15-day disabled list to open Western road trip
July 23
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies' season, an exercise in wheel-spinning since April, took a turn for the worse today when Carlos Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The move hardly came as a surprise, after Gonzalez was forced to leave Thursday's 9-6 loss to Atlanta after straining ligaments in his right wrist. The wrist has given him problems since July 3, when he sustained a deep bone bruise while slamming into the center-field wall at Coors Field. Gonzalez, who had a walk-off single on Wednesday and homered to lead off the bottom of the first inning on Thursday, underwent his second MRI in 10 days after leaving Thursday's game in the fifth inning, after aggravating the injury while swinging at"
Carlos Gonzalez hurt as Rockies lose to Braves 9-6 at Coors Field
July 22
Denver Post
 
"In a scene befitting a season that has made little sense, the Rockies' darkest hour of 2011 came in the middle of the afternoon Thursday as bright sunlight baked Coors Field. That's when Carlos Gonzalez swung at a fifth-inning fastball from Atlanta's Tommy Hanson and immediately began writhing in pain. Gonzalez left the game and was taken to a hospital for another MRI on his right wrist, the one he injured 18 days earlier while slamming into the center-field wall in LoDo. "I was hoping to get better little by little until being 100 percent," Gonzalez said via Twitter on Thursday evening. "I wasn't expecting to get hurt." The Rockies termed the injury a strained wrist, with an inflamed"
Carlos Gonzalez's hit gives Colorado Rockies walkoff win over Atlanta Braves
July 21
Denver Post
 
"Sometimes, no matter how compelling the evidence, no matter what the eyes are saying, no matter what the book suggests, a manager has to ask himself a simple question: Whom do you want to beat you? In the ninth inning of a well-played game sprinkled with web gems, Braves boss Fredi Gonzalez faced this dilemma: Let left-hander Eric O'Flaherty face pinch-hitter Ty Wigginton or Carlos Gonzalez, the defending National League batting champion. The Braves skipper chose CarGo, and the Braves received parting gifts in a 3-2 loss Wednesday, walked off by the left-fielder's sharp single to right field. "In that moment, I was telling myself not to do too much, to make good solid contact," the"
Rockies' Gonzalez tries to stay patient as wrist heals
July 15
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez is not a patient man by nature, but he's doing the best he can to sit tight while he waits for his right wrist to heal. "I don't want to make any stupid moves, so I have to wait this out," he said this afternoon. "I'm just trying to be in the lineup as soon as possible." That won't be tonight when the Rockies open the second half of the season by hosting the Brewers at Coors Field. CarGo did not taking batting practice in the tunnel under the stadium (rain washed out regular BP), but he did hit off a tee. "My wrist doesn't hurt when I'm just standing here, but it hurts when I put weight on it or swing the bat," he said. Manager Jim Tracy said he doesn't think CarGo is"
Rockies' Gonzalez will sit at least one game to start second half of season
July 14
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies' first step toward resurrecting their season after the all-star break will be taken without Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup. CarGo was sporting a removable cast over his bruised right wrist at Wednesday's voluntary team workout and will miss at least one game of a four-game series vs. Milwaukee starting tonight at Coors Field. Gonzalez definitely won't play tonight and could miss more games in the series. He sat out four games in the Rockies' seven-game road trip before the all-star break and didn't swing the bat in two others. Gonzalez, who suffered a deep bone bruise in the wrist after slamming into the center-field fence at Coors Field while making a highlight-reel catch,"
Deep bruise means 2-day CarGo wait
July 13
Denver Post
 
"Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez received a cortisone shot in his right wrist after an MRI exam this week revealed a deep bone bruise. "I feel better," CarGo said Tuesday. "I got the cortisone shot. Now I have to wait and rest for two days." Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said he's confident Gonzalez will return to health after seeing him take batting practice on a recent road trip. "Watching him take BP, and the strength he had, I believe he's going to be fine. Obviously, we are going to need him," Tulowitzki said. Gonzalez's Venezuelan publicist, Fabiola Bohorquez, said Tuesday on Twitter that Gonzalez will test the wrist during batting practice over the next few days after"
MRI reveals deep bone bruise for Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez
July 12
Denver Post
 
"Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez will receive a cortisone shot in his right wrist after Monday's MRI revealed a deep bone bruise. Gonzalez's Venezuelan publicist, Fabiola Bohorquez, said on Twitter today that Gonzalez will test the wrist during batting practice over the next few days after he receives the treatment. Because of the all-star break, the Rockies don't play again until Thursday night when they host the Milwaukee Brewers."
Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez returns; Tulowitzki expected back tonight
July 9
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez returned to the Rockies' lineup Friday night, five days after a nasty collision with the center-field wall at Coors Field. Troy Tulowitzki will return tonight, five days after suffering a strained right quadriceps in Atlanta. No, it isn't a coincidence that both are returning so quickly. At this point, with the Rockies' season spiraling downward, they don't have much of a choice. "No doubt about it, I'm stuck in a tough situation here," Tulowitzki said. "We're not playing good on this trip. Probably more so than ever this season, it's time we need to stop this losing streak. "It's tough, there's no doubt about it. I've never been a guy to beat around the bush. We're"
No CarGo for Braves' finale
July 7
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez's right wrist was sore from batting practice yesterday, prompting the Rockies to give him one more day of rest before returning the outfielder to the starting lineup. "He will be in there tomorrow," manager Jim Tracy said. The Rockies were hoping to get a lift from Gonzalez as they try to snap a four-game losing streak. He crushed balls in batting practice Wednesday while swinging at 75 percent. But that was against 55 mph fastballs, not Tim Hudson's sinker. The biggest concern is that CarGo could aggravate the injury with a check swing. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki continued to progress with his right quad injury. He did not hit last night, but was planning to today. It would"
Rockies' CarGo takes BP, might start Thursday
July 7
Denver Post
 
"It isn't Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett. But on paper tonight's game is a mismatch. The Braves are healthy and starting Jair Jurrjens, arguably the National League's best pitcher in the first half. The Rockies are injured and starting Aaron Cook, who hasn't won on the road since Sept. 3. Perhaps the reverse-lock theory will apply. Where a team that looks like an obvious winner meets with unexpected adversity. There's good news for Rockies' fans. Both Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki took significant steps toward returning to the lineup today. Gonzalez (bruised right wrist) hit during batting practice, swinging at 75 percent. He's available to pinch-run or play defense tonight. "I have"
Tulo, CarGo taking time to heal injuries
July 6
Denver Post
 
"Troy Tulowitzki emerged from the trainer's room with optimism, but no date for his return. His right quadriceps remains sore, leaving him unable to perform baseball activity Tuesday. "I feel OK. I just know I can't rush it. I have done that before, and I ended up with a serious injury," he said. "I don't want to put a timetable on it." The timing of Tulowitzki's injury couldn't be much worse. He's unlikely to return before Thursday, which is the earliest that Carlos Gonzalez (bruised right wrist) will return. "Injuries never seem to come at a good time," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. Tulowitzki rode the stationary bike and received treatment Tuesday. No baseball activities are planned"
Carlos Gonzalez to avoid disabled list
July 5
Denver Post
 
"Watching Carlos Gonzalez play catch before batting practice, concern turned to slight relief. His right wrist remains extremely sore and his left wrist is bruised, but the Rockies outfielder will avoid the disabled list. However, he likely won't play until Thursday at the earliest because he's still unable to grip or swing a bat. "I was going to swing (today), but I need to give it more rest," Gonzalez said after Monday night's loss to the Braves. "I have to be careful. It's not ready. I want to be out there before the (all-star) break. These are important games." Gonzalez, 25, ran full speed into the center-field wall Sunday while making a highlight- reel catch at Coors Field. He stayed"
Unbroken CarGo a lucky break, Sunday slumps a troubling trend
July 4
Denver Post
 columnist Woody Paige
"CargoodtoGo. The chalk scribbling on the blackboard in the Rockies' clubhouse was: "Bus leaves at 5:45. Waiting on Cargo." At 5:30 p.m., with the motor running outside, Carlos Gonzalez, a yellow hospital band on his left wrist, walked in, did a quick run-through in the Car-wash, dressed at his locker, showed a teammate his contusions — bruises — and said: "I'm good." The Rockies loaded their precious CarGo for the trip to Atlanta. The Rox season looked like it was over at 3:40 p.m. (and it might be, anyway.) Royals catcher Brayan Peña lasered a beam toward the farthest spot in the ballpark — 415 feet away, just beneath an evergreen. Sprinting full speed, Gonzalez simultaneously caught the"
Carlos Gonzalez crashes into wall, injures wrist
July 4
Denver Post
 
"The game? Forget the game. In the seventh inning, the Rockies' entire season flashed before the eyes of 40,269 fans at Coors Field. CarGo was down. After several minutes of writhing in pain on the warning track, Carlos Gonzalez was carted off the field to chants of "Let's go, CarGo!" For all anyone knew, the Rockies' playoff hopes were riding with him. In the end, the diagnosis was remarkably encouraging, considering the violence with which Gonzalez slammed into the wall while catching Brayan Peña's deep drive: day to day with a bruised right wrist. For the record, it was the only good thing that happened to the Rockies on Sunday afternoon. How bad was it? They scored eight runs in a span"
Carlos Gonzalez embracing leadoff spot
June 15
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez hasn't just moved to the leadoff spot in the Rockies' lineup. He has embraced it. "I know how important it is for the team to be a leadoff hitter," Gonzalez said. "I think it's the most important player. When you get on base, you have to create situations. He's the motivation for guys hitting behind him. "I take it very seriously because it's a huge responsibility. If I have to do it for the team, I'm going to do it." And not just for the short term. Moving to the leadoff spot is supposed to be short term, but Gonzalez is prepared to lead off for the rest of the season, and has indicated as much to manager Jim Tracy and general manager Dan O'Dowd. "I always have"
Rockies move Carlos Gonzalez from left field to center and make him leadoff hitter
June 7
Denver Post
 
"Looking to apply jumper cables to the lineup's dead battery, Rockies manager Jim Tracy on Monday night shifted Carlos Gonzalez to the top of order and back to center field, his natural position. This move is an indictment of the offense that entered Monday hitting .243 and had scored more than three runs just 11 times since May 1. In spring training, Tracy pledged to keep Gonzalez in left field — to preserve his legs — and bat him third. But with the Rockies unable to shake a six-week funk and Dexter Fowler headed to the disabled list, a drastic move was required. Center field is not a temporary shift, Tracy said, but hitting at the top of the order might be. "I don't have a problem with"
CarGo has tight groin, but 'nothing serious'
May 20
InsideTheRockies.com
 
"Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez left Thursday's 7-1 victory over the Phillies in the bottom of the third inning with left groin tightness. He was replaced by Ryan Spilborghs.After Carlos Ruiz led off the third with a single to left that Gonzalez fielded, the Rockies' left fielder came up hobbling.Manager Jim Tracy walked out to left field and called for Spilborghs to replace Gonzalez."
Carlos Gonzalez leads rally as Rockies beat Giants 5-3 for sweep at Coors Field
May 18
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez symbolizes baseball. Or how we like it to be. He plays with a commercial-ready smile and has a swing taken straight out of a black-and-white photo. He seems, at times, the eternal 12-year-old kid. He wears humorous T-shirts, cuts his hair in a faux hawk, teases his friends relentlessly and likes to lose himself in music. Those eager, little-boy eyes had a devilish glint Tuesday. For the first time, "oh, my" replaced "uh-oh" for CarGo and Ubaldo. Both appeared to finally hit their stride. Jimenez worked seven innings for the first time this season, and for the second straight game Gonzalez slayed the Giants, his eighth-inning single shoving the Rockies to a nervy 5-3 win at"
Rockies rally to beat Lincecum, Giants thanks to CarGo's 3-run HR
May 17
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies were a team in a hurry Monday night. They ran the bases like they were double-parked on Blake Street. Their starter, Clayton Mortensen, threw only five pitches to get three outs in the second inning. After manager Jim Tracy's pregame team meeting, the Rockies wanted to change things quickly. They have been the National League West's worst team this month. And the World Series champion San Francisco Giants have used them as a speed bag. While the Rockies were sloppy, arguably trying too hard at times, one swift stroke camouflaged all the blemishes. Carlos Gonzalez belted a three-run homer off Giants ace Tim Lincecum in the sixth inning, the difference in the Rockies' 7-4 win at"
Carlos Gonzalez expects to be back in lineup Monday
May 16
MLB.com
 
"Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez came out of Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Padres in the ninth inning after being hit in the right foot by a pitch from Padres reliever Luke Gregerson in the eighth. Gonzalez stayed in the game as a baserunner before being being replaced in left by Ryan Spilborghs in the final inning, with the Rockies trailing by six runs. Gonzalez said the ball hit him on the little toe of his right foot, and he expects to be in the lineup when the Rockies open up a two-game series against the Giants on Monday at Coors Field."
Gonzalez looking for answers
May 10
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez doesn't need to be reminded of the number, but someone reminded him of it anyway. The number is zero. That's how many home runs CarGo has hit at Coors Field this season. The other number is three. That's how many runs he has driven in at home. No surprise there except that he turned Coors Field into his personal launching pad last season, hitting 26 homers and piling up 76 RBIs to put himself in the MVP conversation. A year later, CarGo is looking for answers — on the road, where he's hitting .186, and at home, where he isn't producing runs up to expectations. Has he ever felt comfortable at the plate at home in the season's early going? "No, I don't feel comfortable,""
Gonzalez returns to three hole
May 5
Denver Post
 
"The distance of Carlos Gonzalez's home run Tuesday was breathtaking — 453 feet. His return to the third spot in the order took all of an inch on the lineup card. After watching the left fielder go 5-for-9 while batting fifth, manager Jim Tracy made the switch Wednesday. "It was more than just one game," Tracy said. "He's beginning to resemble himself again. (Tuesday) he got himself into good counts, and when you see that it was only a matter of time. He belongs third, and in fairness to Todd Helton and his program, I am not going to ask him to hit in that spot for a month." On the advice of hitting instructor Carney Lansford, Gonzalez made mechanical adjustments last week in Chicago. He"
Slow starts by Ubaldo, CarGo have so far been a nonstory due to Rockies' success
May 4
Denver Post
 columnist Dave Krieger
"The most astonishing thing about the Rockies' sprint to the top of the National League West standings is they've done it with little or no help from two of their three young stars. In fact, the fast start has provided cover for Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Gonzalez as they struggle to live up to the expectations of stardom. "Both these guys are just learning how to deal with things that they've never had to deal with before," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said Tuesday. Last season's NL batting champion, Gonzalez hit .336 with 34 home runs and 117 RBIs, finishing third in the most valuable player voting. After going 2-for-2 with a home run, doubling his output for the season, in Tuesday"
Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez batting slump not unique
May 1
Denver Post
 
"Carlos Gonzalez sat at his corner locker at Wrigley Field last week, his sneer reduced to a smirk. At 25, he's proof that dreams come true. He has an $80 million contract, a red Ferrari, a loving family and commercial-worthy good looks. But on a soggy, gloomy day, all he wanted was a hit. "Do I even have one this week?" he wondered, unfortunately knowing the answer was a 0-for-25 stretch before his bunt single Friday. "When I get going, watch out." Batting slumps are like long lines at the DMV. No one is spared. Boos rained down on Boston's Carl Crawford after his 8-for-57 start. Even future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter suffered through a 0-for-32 skid in 2004. CarGo had two hits Saturday"
CarGo using batting cage to end slump
April 27
Denver Post
 
"Stuck in an 0-for-22 rut, the batting champion spent time in the batting cage rather than in the lineup Tuesday. Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez worked on specific mechanical adjustments in his swing as he tries to halt his worst slump since 2009. "It's a lot easier when you are hitting .350 and you have a long oh-fer. When you are hitting .200, everyone notices it," Gonzalez said. "I am not a .200 hitter. I will be fine." Gonzalez acknowledged that he's pressing. He insisted he's not trying to live up to his new seven-year, $80 million contract. He's upset because he's not helping the Rockies, especially on this road trip. There are reasons behind his offensive struggles. After"
Tulo knows CarGo's pain about hit slump
April 26
Denver Post
 
"April has been a month-long cringe for Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez. He has one home run, and a single hit over the last week, dropping his average to .217. If anyone can relate, it's all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. He spent his career flirting with a .200 average in the first month. Last season, he hit .304 in April but managed only one home run. "I know what it's like. He's not alone. You look around the league and see a guy or two on every team that's not performing like you'd expect," Tulowitzki said. "Confidence-wise, he's fine. He's just trying to get two hits in every at-bat." Lost in Gonzalez's smile and easy laugh is a near-unhealthy competitiveness. As a result, his"
Carlos Gonzalez rests his back and his bat for a day
April 17
Denver Post
 
"Impatience and injury conspired to keep Carlos Gonzalez out of the lineup. Stuck in a 3-for-24 slump, the left fielder used Saturday to take extra batting practice and treat a lower back that stiffened during Thursday's doubleheader and four-hour plane ride back to Denver. "It's a little tight. I expect to be back in there (today)," Gonzalez said. The Rockies entered Saturday with baseball's best record despite little contribution at the plate from Gonzalez, who finished third in the National League MVP voting last season. Gonzalez has been too aggressive at the plate, expanding his strike zone, especially against left-handers. He is just 1-for-14 against lefties after hitting them at a"