Jamie Moyer was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, the move being made about six weeks after he became the oldest starting pitcher to win a game in major league history.
The 49-year-old former Seattle Mariners left-hander said at a news conference Wednesday he still had hopes of continuing his career elsewhere, but his immediate plan was to return home and attend a son’s high school graduation.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow but it’s part of the business,” Moyer said.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy told Moyer of the team’s decision in a meeting earlier Wednesday.
After missing all of the 2011 season recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, Moyer signed with the Rockies and made the team with an impressive spring training. He became the oldest starting pitcher to win, beating San Diego, 5-3, on April 17.
“I enjoyed my time here in Denver,” Moyer said, expressing his appreciation both to Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd and Tracy for helping him to revive his career after a year away from the game.
Moyer had struggled recently. He was 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts. By designating him for assignment the Rockies have 10 days to trade him or release him.
“It is all about putting up results, individually and as a team,” Moyer said. “When you don’t do that, obviously management has to just step back and re-evaluate things and their choices are their decisions.”
When asked, though, if he thought he could still pitch, Moyer said, “I do believe so.”
He added that he thinks he can iron out problems with his command and consistency.
“When you talk to any pitchers, consistency is the most important thing,” Moyer said. “I haven’t had that to this point. But I know I can find that.”
Over the course of his 24-year career, Moyer has a 269-209 mark with a 4.25 ERA while playing for eight big league teams. While with the Mariners (1997-2006), Moyer went 145-87 with a 3.97 ERA.
DODGERS SCRUTINIZED
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles is investigating possible criminal financial misconduct by the Dodgers and related entities during the ownership of Frank and Jamie McCourt, a person familiar with the matter told the Los Angeles Times.
Authorities have requested documents from representatives of each of the McCourts, the person said. The investigation started early last year and appears to be focused on the accounting and propriety of Dodgers spending, the person said.
SHORT HOPS
Cleveland designated hitter Travis Hafner will have surgery on his right knee today and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Hafner will have arthroscopic surgery to repair fraying and irritation in his right meniscus. … The Tigers put former Mariners right-hander Doug Fister on the 15-day DL. … Roy Oswalt, who agreed to a minor league deal with Texas, is scheduled to make his first start for Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday. … Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp left Wednesday night’s game against the Brewers after apparently re-injuring the left hamstring that kept him out of the lineup for two weeks. … The Braves optioned rookie shortstop Tyler Pastornicky to Triple-A Gwinnett, and called up Andrelton Simmons from Double-A Mississippi to be the starter.
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