Major League Baseball

Colorado righty Cook breaks finger

Published Mar. 11, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook fractured bones in the ring finger on his throwing hand and will be out indefinitely.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy made the announcement after Colorado's 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

Cook, already on the shelf with shoulder stiffness, caught the finger in a door. His nail was scattered and X-rays revealed the fracture.

''It will be at least a few weeks minimum,'' Tracy said. ''From what I understand he caught the finger in a house door when he reached back to try and catch it.''

Cook opened the spring as the Rockies' No. 4 starter but suffered a setback in the second week of camp when he felt tightness in his right shoulder. He had been on a throwing program until his latest mishap.

Tracy said Jason Hammel will move into the fourth spot in the rotation, while the fifth spot is up for grabs among several pitchers, including right-handers Esmil Rogers and Clay Mortensen.

Tracy also said catcher Chad Moeller was given his unconditional release.

''We decided to let Chad move on,'' Tracy said. ''We did not feel like he was going to be a fit. We wanted to do this now so he can look for another opportunity.''

Meanwhile, Jorge De La Rosa will not make his scheduled start Sunday as a precaution. De La Rosa complained of tightness in his back.

''If this was in the course of the regular season he would make his start,'' Tracy said. ''It's not serious but we'd rather be cautious.''

De La Rosa is expected to pitch a bullpen session Sunday and take his regular turn on March 18.

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