SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Jamie Moyer sat at his locker recently, peering through glasses, methodically working his way through a crossword puzzle.
He looked like a coach or a professor. Friday, he officially resumed his career as a big-league starter, history beckoning as the 49-year-old Moyer joined the Rockies’ rotation and will attempt to become the oldest pitcher to win a game when he starts April 7 at Houston.
“I didn’t know if he could make it, but I have been completely intrigued by what I have seen unfold,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said before Friday’s exhibition game against the Rangers. “It is the same Jamie Moyer. It’s the same worker, the same professional. It’s the same velocity, the same pitches. When he’s right, it’s the same type of effectiveness. So we are going to venture into this.”
Moyer, who owns 267 career wins, will follow opening-day starter Jeremy Guthrie in the rotation. Juan Nicasio pitches third with Jhoulys Chacin getting the assignment for the home opener April 9 against the rival Giants. Because of the April 10 off day, the Rockies won’t need fifth starter Drew Pomeranz until April 15.
Tracy’s positioning of Moyer is strategic. He sandwiched the soft-tossing left-hander between a pair of right-handers who consistently reach 95 mph on the radar gun and have a history of eating innings. Moyer brings an 80 mph fastball, complemented by a 70 mph changeup and 65 mph curveball.
“He has that 80 mph heater,” said 41-year-old Jason Giambi. “OK, it’s more like a cooler.”
Moyer won a rotation spot because of his performance, not his demographics. He posted a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings, and when his body recovered adequately after Wednesday’s 89-pitch outing, Tracy was convinced Moyer could work every five days. Moyer outlasted Tyler Chatwood and Guillermo Moscoso, who are a combined 50 years old.
“He was very pleased, obviously. He said thank you. I stopped him right there and I said thank you is not necessary because we don’t give handouts here,” Tracy said.
When Moyer signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies in January, he was seeking a fair shake, a chance to evaluate his surgically repaired left elbow and flexor tendon that caused him to miss the 2011 season. He had surgery because he wanted to throw batting practice to his sons. After Wednesday’s outing, Moyer became increasingly confident that he could still pitch in the major leagues nearly 26 years after making his debut for the Cubs.
“It’s all about taking advantage of opportunities. And this is a great opportunity,” said Moyer, whose only detour this spring was caused by soreness in his left groin. “If I can inspire people to work out, have a better attitude and not give up, that’s great.”
Jack Quinn holds the record for the oldest pitcher to win a game. The Brooklyn Dodger was 49 years, 74 days old when he beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 13, 1932. Moyer turns 50 on Nov. 18.
“We spent time with him at ESPN last year. I asked him if he was making a comeback. He said, ‘No, I am going to pitch.’ He was serious,” Hall of Famer Barry Larkin said. “His conviction is incredible. It’s a great story.”
Footnotes. Pomeranz will pitch in a minor-league game to be determined April 10 in advance of his season debut. Moscoso will join the Triple-A rotation. Outfielder Andrew Brown and catcher Wilkin Castillo were also sent down.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294 or trenck@denverpost.com
