NEW YORK -- He's not there yet, but as he grows older Rockies right fielder Carlos González believes he can extend his career by playing his childhood position, first base.
No one is manufacturing the CarGo first baseman's mitt just yet. Gonzalez played some first during Spring Training when the Rockies were practicing various situations. But Gonzalez and manager Walt Weiss both said Friday that the subject hasn't come up since the season began.
So first base is not a likely option for Gonzalez when left fielder Gerardo Parra, who began a rehab assignment for a left ankle injury Friday, returns. Parra started in left field for Double-A Hartford and went 1-for-2 with a run scored, a walk and a strikeout.
The Rockies (barring a trade) will have four left-handed-hitting outfielders capable of starting -- Gonzalez, Parra, regular center fielder Charlie Blackmon and recent callup David Dahl. But the thought takes Gonzalez to his days growing up in Venezuela.
"When I started playing baseball, I played first, then I moved to the outfield when I was 14," Gonzalez said. "I was converted to the outfield. Now I'm an outfielder trying to get back. I really liked it. I enjoyed playing first."
Gonzalez, 30, is signed through next season, and the thought of a first-base future could be a way of keeping him in purple pinstripes beyond the current contract.
If he does make that move, it'll please one special fan.
"My mom says I'm a better first baseman than outfielder," Gonzalez said. "Three Gold Gloves, and she still thinks I'm a better first baseman.
"I was 160 pounds and 6-foot-1, and that's a big man's position. The typical first baseman was always the heavy guy. I moved really well, and I had a cannon. They said, 'You throw 95 mph from the mound. It'll be fun to put you in the outfield.'"
Raburn scratched
Outfielder Ryan Raburn was scratched from the starting lineup because he suffered a left knee contusion during batting practice when he was hit by an errant throw. The development put Dahl in the lineup. Dahl, in his first week in the Majors, was scheduled to have a day off against Mets left-hander Steven Matz.
Diaz to manage in Arizona Fall League
Tony Diaz, development supervisor at the Rockies' Rookie-level Grand Junction affiliate, will manage the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League this season. The Rafters are composed of players from the Rockies, D-backs, Braves, Tigers and Brewers systems. Diaz is in his fourth year as Grand Junction's development supervisor after managing six seasons at the Rookie level.
Motte brings charity event to Denver
Rockies relief pitcher Jason Motte is planning a Denver Jason Motte Foundation Cornhole Challenge on Sept. 1 at the Gold Crown Foundation, with doors opening at 5 p.m. MT and opening ceremonies at 6:15 p.m. It will be a Strike Out Cancer benefit for Children's Hospital of Colorado.
Proceeds will help fund the annual Children's Hospital trip to Spring Training in Scottsdale, Ariz., in March 2017. Former Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, now with the Blue Jays, funded the trip in the past and did so this year even though he had been traded. Motte, who has been involved in cancer fundraising throughout his career, has taken on the project.
Fans can sign up as two-person teams in the pool-play format or can be a part of the action by purchasing spectator tickets. Also available is a VIP experience that includes a private reception before the event with interaction with Rockies players and other celebrities. There will be live and silent auctions of sports memorabilia.
Motte's foundation has done Cornhole Challenge events in his previous cities, St. Louis and Chicago, since 2014 and raised more than $500,000 for cancer care.
The Jason Motte Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.