Ureña's solid 2022 finale has Rockies wanting more

LOS ANGELES -- Rockies right-hander José Ureña loves pitching at Dodger Stadium -- a fact worth noting because his six innings of one-run ball Monday night lowered his ERA in the venue to 1.26. It’s just three appearances, but that’s beside the point.

If the Rockies have their way, and if (as Rockies manager Bud Black believes) it’s also Ureña’s desire, he’ll be throwing here as a Rockie more next season.

Ureña, 31, held the Dodgers to five hits with four strikeouts and no walks in the 2-1 victory -- won by Michael Toglia, who shook off three inning-ending strikeouts and delivered a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning.

• Box score

Second-year reliever Justin Lawrence, being fed more important situations in the season’s final days, allowed a hit in the ninth, but earned his first Major League save.

Ureña’s start mirrored much of his work since he joined the Rockies in May, and all of his work of late. He has thrown five or more innings with two or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven starts.

Monday also marked the incredible 14th time in his 17 starts in which the Rockies have managed two or fewer runs. He left Monday with the score tied at 1.

Still, he may be back for more.

“The way he’s thrown, we’re going to have a look at it when he goes into free agency,” Black said. “And in all honesty, he’s going to do the same, as it relates to us. So that’s a good thing.”

Ureña’s biggest blemish was Trayce Thompson’s one-out homer in the third inning. But after reading Dodgers swings he leaned heavily on his sinking fastball and forced nine grounders.

Keeping the ball on the ground can lead to success in Denver. And he found a measure of happiness there, too.

“I said it first thing: I am so thankful for this organization, what they did for me,” Ureña said. “I’d be open. I like to play here.”

The expected 2023 rotation includes Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez, who made adjustments and fought through struggles this year but believe they are seasoned for a turnaround, and Antonio Senzatela, who is expected to miss the first month while completing rehab from left ACL surgery. While Ryan Feltner, who will start Tuesday, and Austin Gomber, who was removed from the rotation this year, but is considered a starter, will compete for spots, the Rockies need another veteran.

The Rockies have gone a couple decades not bidding on the top pitching free agents, having learned that a pitcher with choices will charge more in dollars and years to consider making Coors his home. Trades are a possibility and the Rockies have indicated they will discuss prospects, which hasn’t always been the case in the past. But that trading capital might be used to obtain a frontline center fielder.

That’s why Ureña -- seemingly more than Chad Kuhl, who spent the season in the rotation -- intrigues the Rockies.

Ureña, who's heading into his ninth season, had solid years with the Marlins in 2017 (3.82 ERA) and 2018 (3.98). While Ureña’s 5.01 ERA this year -- which included a 3.52 mark in four relief appearances with the Brewers, who released him at the end of April -- isn’t one a team builds its offseason strategy around, he has shown the pitch development, with an improving slider and changeup, that could mean a revival.

“He’s shown the durability to make his starts, make every side session, and within that he’s held his stuff. Every start, stuff-wise, has been as consistent as a starting pitcher can be,” Black said. “By that I mean velocity range on the fastball, movement to the fastball, the velocities and movement on his secondary pitches. He has not in any start had less stuff than any previous start.”

The front office and coaching staff point to Ureña’s meticulous and effort-filled preparation. If he re-signs, his example can help a growing list of younger starters who aren’t ready for the Majors, but can benefit by learning.

“I came out to get him today for the scouting meeting, and he’s in the weight room, doing weighted ball stuff,” pitching coach Darryl Scott said. “This is two hours before the game, when a lot of guys are relaxed, chilled out. Half the time when I get to the park I see him on the bike. Next time I see him lifting. You look at the body. That doesn’t happen by chance.”