The Colorado Rockies announced on Tuesday afternoon that third baseman Ian Stewart has been optioned to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. This was hinted at when Stewart was not in today's starting lineup (see below). Stewart has had a rough start to the season, collecting just two hits in 26 at-bats (.077 batting average) and striking out 11 times.
Stewart's 2011 campaign never got off to the right start as he injured his knee early in Spring Training and didn't return until the end of March. And with the emergence of Jonathan Herrera at second base, Jose Lopez has received playing time at third base. Ty Wigginton has cut into Stewart's time on the diamond as well. But as Rob Neyer argues, Stewart may just be better than Lopez and Wigginton, given the struggles of all three.
In 2010, the Colorado Rockies optioned catcher Chris Iannetta in early May to Triple-A in order to get him consistent at-bats. He came back and hit adequately in June and July, but struggled over the last two months of the season. How will Stewart respond?
Ubaldo Jimenez coming off the disabled list is the expected corresponding move.