Gibson reaffirms faith in Josh Collmenter
Apr 17, 2012, 7:14 PM | Updated: 8:32 pm
Josh Collmenter has pitched just seven innings in two
starts this season, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) and 10
hits while walking four and striking out six.
The right-hander will carry those struggles along with a
12.86 ERA into his next start Thursday against the Atlanta
Braves, seemingly with his spot in the rotation on the
line.
Or not.
“We don’t think like that,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson
told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo. “We think that
he’s going to go out and that he’s going to do well.”
Gibson, always one to promote a positive environment
around his ballclub, said the coaches have gone over
Collmenter’s struggles with the pitcher, but are in no way
planning on giving up on him.
“I don’t sit here and go ‘well, if he doesn’t throw good
this game he’s out of here,'” he said. “We’re not going to
be that way, we just don’t talk that way. We try and
predict success and we’re trying to encourage positive
thoughts.
“We’re trying to get him back on track.”
Part of the reason for Gibson’s optimism has to be the
fact that Collmenter pitched well for him last season,
where he won 10 games and posted a 3.38 ERA.
And, while the idea may disappoint some, it appears Gibson
will give Collmenter every opportunity to work out of this
funk he’s in and return to the form he displayed in 2011.
“We’ve stuck with Colly and we’re going to continue to do
so,” he said.
