(3/3/2009) From the The Sports Xchange: Contrary to reports that he tested positive for steroids, Luis A. Gonzalez, who is attempting to return to the Rockies, was suspended May 25 from playing professionally in Japan for a year for testing positive for three types of stimulants. Gonzalez was playing for the Yomiuri Giants and, according to Japanese news reports, tested positive after a game April 30, 2008. Gonzalez played three seasons with the Rockies before being sold to the Japanese club prior to the 2007 season. He hit .307 in 32 games for the Giants before testing positive for the use of amphetamines. Gonzalez has been cleared by Major League Baseball. Medical officials supported Gonzalez in his explanation that the stimulants were contained in prescription medicine for a gout-like condition that causes extreme swelling, a condition that periodically affected Gonzalez while he played with the Rockies.
Rockies hand out some spring invites
(1/15/2009) Non-roster invitees to Rockies camp include right-hander Matt Belisle, lefty Cedrick Bowers, infielders Luis A. Gonzalez and Jon Herrera, outfielder Daniel Ortmeier and catchers Edwin Bellorin and Paul Phillips. Gonzalez, who hasn't played in the majors in three years, was a member of the Rockies from 2004-06. He played the past two seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.
Rockies give Gonzalez minor deal
(1/6/2009) The Rockies signed former infielder Luis A. Gonzalez to a minor league contract.
Ex-Rockie Gonzalez goes to Japan
(1/19/2007) The Rockies sold second baseman Luis Gonzalez to the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League on Thursday. Jamey Carroll took over the starting job at second base for Colorado last season, batting .300 and scoring 84 runs in 136 games. The Rockies also re-signed second baseman Kaz Matsui to a $1.5 million, one-year contract this offseason, making Gonzalez expendable. Matsui hit .345 in 113 at-bats with the Rockies last year after he was acquired from the New York Mets in June.
Report: Gonzalez headed for Japan
(1/7/2007) The Rockies are reportedly close to a deal with a Japanese team on utility man Luis A. Gonzalez. He will have to clear waivers for the deal to go through.
Rockies send down Gonzalez
(8/30/2006) The Rockies purchased the contract of SS Troy Tulowitzki from Double-A Tulsa of the Texas League. Also, they optioned 2B Luis Gonzalez to Colorado Springs of the PCL.
Rockies hitting soft, wet balls?
(8/2/2006) Illegal, waterlogged baseballs are the real reason runs are harder to come by at Coors Field nowadays, Milwaukee infielder Jeff Cirillo suggested Tuesday. Cirillo said he compared a baseball from Milwaukee that Brewers first base coach Dave Nelson used to hit fly balls to the outfielders with one from Monday night's game. The one from Denver was spongy, puffy and heavy, he said. "One looked like a round ball and the other looked like an oblong ball," Cirillo said. "And even some of the infielders said when they were throwing across the diamond, the ball felt a little heavy."
Gonzalez not playing much
(7/17/2006) Luis A. Gonzalez has not started a game since returing from Triple-A. His last start came on May 24 before being demoted.
Gonzalez back ... in utility role
(7/5/2006) 2B Luis Gonzalez's role with the team won't change upon his return from Triple-A. "Luis will still be a jack-of-all-trades guy," manager Clint Hurdle said. Hurdle said the biggest surprise of the first half was 2B Jamey Carroll.
Rockies recall Luis Gonzalez
(7/4/2006) Ryan Spilborghs was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday and the team recalled Luis A. Gonzalez to replace him.
Luis Gonzalez has four-game streak
(6/27/2006) Luis A. Gonzalez has a modest four-game hitting streak for the Colorado Rockies. He has five hits in his past 14 at-bats.
Rox activate, option Gonzalez
(6/13/2006) The Colorado Rockies activated Luis A. Gonzalez (wrist) from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
COL L. Gonzalez plays all over
(6/12/2006) 2B Luis Gonzalez has played four positions in his five rehab games for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Rockies place Gonzalez on DL
(5/28/2006) The Colorado Rockies placed second baseman Luis Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with inflammation in both wrists, and the team is unsure what caused the condition. The move is retroactive to Saturday. The Rockies recalled outfielder Ryan Spilborghs from Triple-A Colorado Springs and he was in the starting lineup in center field for Sunday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants. "There was no guarantee when he'd be playable," manager Clint Hurdle said of Gonzalez, who left Friday night's 9-0 loss after one inning. "We'll give him every opportunity to get healthy, drain this thing out. He's kind of like a blow fish. He just swells up. It's incredible how quick it happens."
Gonzalez could land on DL
(5/28/2006) Luis Gonzalez, who left after the first inning of Friday's 9-0 loss with inflammation in both wrists, came to the ballpark Saturday to be assessed by trainers, but was given medication and sent back to the team hotel to rest. He did not get much sleep Friday night because of the pain in his wrists. The disabled list is still a possibility.
Gout takes out 2B Luis Gonzalez
(5/27/2006) Rockies 2B Luis Gonzalez left Friday's game at San Francisco after the first inning with inflammation in both wrists caused by gout.
Rockies' Gonzalez plays Monday
(5/23/2006) Rockies 2B Luis Gonzalez took advantage of his chance to play after 2B Jamey Carroll suffered a sprained ankle Monday at Los Angeles. Gonzalez doubled and singled his first two at-bats, and he lined to right the third time up.
Gonzalez moved up to six-hole
(5/17/2006) Manager Clint Hurdle made some lineup adjustments, having 3B Garrett Atkins bat second in the order and 2B Luis Gonzalez sixth. "I wanted to shake things up and see what happens," Hurdle said. "I considered hitting Todd Helton second, but felt he needed to lose 12 or 15 pounds to hit there."
Gonzalez back at second
(5/14/2006) Luis Gonzalez started at second base Saturday, ending Jamey Carroll's streak of 10 straight starts. Gonzalez had a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning on Friday while Carroll was 0-for-4. "We rode the wave with Jamey, but Gonzo took a nice swing last night," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "I'm not a big fan of guys sitting down for extended periods of time unless we're just so good that we don't really need to make adjustments. I don't feel we're that good. We need everybody to contribute."
Rockies' Gonzalez could play
(5/8/2006) 2B Luis Gonzalez, who is hitting .221, could return to the lineup in St. Louis, manager Clint Hurdle said. The slumping Gonzalez has one hit in his past 13 at-bats, five hits in his past 29 and hasn't played the past three games. "This is probably the most dramatic struggle he's had since he's been here," Hurdle said. "And he's into his third season in the big leagues, which is not to be unexpected."
Rockies' Gonzalez gets day off
(4/28/2006) 2B Luis Gonzalez was given a day off Thursday. He continues to struggle, having gone hitless in eight at-bats in Philadelphia.
Rockies' Gonzalez back in two slot
(4/19/2006) After not starting the previous two games, 2B Luis Gonzalez was back in the lineup, hitting second Tuesday ahead of 1B Todd Helton. Gonzalez batted second a team-leading 39 times last year and hit .282 in that spot.
Rocks' Gonzo watches Smith soar
(4/10/2006) Luis A. Gonzalez has a clean bill of health now, but utility man Jason Smith is hot right now. Smith got a start Friday because Gonzalez was sidelined with an inflamed right wrist, and he wound up going 8-for-13 with six RBI and three home runs in three games against the Padres. "I wanted another left-handed bat against (Jake) Peavy and Smith has been hot," manager Clint Hurdle said of starting Smith on Sunday. "There's nothing wrong with Gonzo."
Gonzo goes through drills, sits
(4/8/2006) Luis A. Gonzalez, who came out of Wednesday's game with inflammation in his right wrist, went through full drills Friday but was on the bench. Jason Smith started in his place and went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
(4/7/2006) Luis Gonzalez was available in a limited basis Thursday after coming out of Wednesday's game with inflammation in his right wrist.
Rockies 2B having great spring
(3/30/2006) Luis A. Gonzalez singled, doubled and tripled in the first four innings Wednesday. He is batting .381 (21-for-55) in spring training. "He's going to get every opportunity to show us how far he can take that this season," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle.
Rockies' L. Gonzalez streaking
(3/21/2006) Second baseman Luis Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a three-run homer off Shawn Estes in the Rockies' 8-4 win over the Padres on Monday night.
Gonzalez extends spring hitting streak
(3/19/2006) Rockies 2B Luis Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 10 with a third-inning single Saturday.
Rocks' Gonzalez having good spring
(3/14/2006) Second baseman Luis Gonzalez went 3-for-4 for Colorado and is now hitting .400 this spring.
Gonzalez to hit seventh
(2/27/2006) Rockies 2B Luis Gonzalez, who often hit second when he started in the last two years, initially will hit seventh, where he will have a chance to drive in more runs. While Gonzalez will be the Rockies' starting second baseman, manager Clint Hurdle said Gonzalez also will wind up spending some time at third, short and first base as well as possibly the outfield.
Gonzalez focused on Rockies
(2/24/2006) Rockies 2B Luis A. Gonzalez has some pop for a middle infielder. He hits line drives and will produce runs, which is why he's down in the lineup instead of hitting second. He's also focused -- he withdrew from the World Baseball Classic to prepare for the upcoming season.
Luis Gonzalez withdraws from WBC
(2/17/2006) Luis Gonzalez withdrew from the Venezuela roster for the WBC. He is getting a chance to start for the Rockies this season and doesn't want to miss time in spring training.
Rockies' Gonzalez goes in Round 9
(2/10/2006) In CBS SportsLine.com's NL-only experts 5x5 Rotisserie draft, Rockies 2B Luis A. Gonzalez was selected in the ninth round (101st overall).
Rocks' Gonzalez murders lefties
(9/30/2005) 2B Luis Gonzalez is batting .391 against left-handed pitchers this season, fourth best in the majors.
Luis A. Gonzalez hits second
(8/27/2005) Gonzalez (finger) went 2-for-5 with two RBI at San Diego Friday.
Luis A. Gonzalez out again
(8/25/2005) Gonzalez (bruised right index finger) was out of the lineup again on Wednesday.
Rockies' Gonzalez leaves game
(8/24/2005) Luis A. Gonzalez left Tuesday's game at L.A. Dodgers due to a bruised right index finger.
Rocks' Gonzo to lose time?
(7/21/2005) 3B Garrett Atkins was out of the starting lineup Wednesday, with Desi Relaford starting at shortstop in place of Luis A. Gonzalez, who moved over to third. Hurdle said not to read much into the move, explaining he wants to give regulars the occasional day off. The Rockies claimed SS Anderson Machado off waivers and will add him to the roster later in the week. "We are going to bring him in and see if he can provide us some stability at shortstop," manager Clint Hurdle said. "The reports on him are very good. It was a no-risk situation for us."
Rocks' Gonzalez powers back up
(7/4/2005) Luis A. Gonzalez had gone 91 at-bats without a home run before connecting for his fourth of the season in the second inning Sunday.
Rocks' Gonzalez makes most of it
(5/30/2005) Colorado's Luis A. Gonzalez had a solo homer and a two-run single Sunday.
Rocks' Gonzo makes spot start
(4/30/2005) Luis A. Gonzalez, sidelined with a tender left wrist, started Friday night and went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts. He was lifted for a pinch hitter and is now hitting .257 on the season going into Saturday's game.
Rocks' Gonzalez limited by wrist
(4/25/2005) Luis A. Gonzalez has a tender left wrist and has been nursing it of late, according to MLB.com. He pinch hit each of the past two games.
Rocks' Gonzalez might get start
(4/3/2005) With Garrett Atkins suddenly going on the DL with a hamstring strain, Luis A. Gonzalez or Jeff Baker will get the start at third base for the Rockies on opening day.
Rockies' Gonzalez on the mend
(3/23/2005) Luis Gonzalez has a bone bruise after being hit on the left wrist in Monday's spring game. X-rays were negative, but he is expected to miss a few more days.
'Other' Luis Gonzalez to get a chance?
(11/17/2004) With Vinny Castilla signing in Washington, and uber-prospect Garrett Atkins slow to pick up a position switch, Colorado's Luis Gonzalez might have a chance to earn the starting third baseman job in spring training. Gonzalez is playing third for the Oriente Carires in the Venezuelan Winter League right now, hitting .339 with a .422 on-base percentage and a .446 SLUG.
Luis Gonzalez back in action
(8/24/2004) Gonzalez (flu) was back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game at Atlanta.
Luis Gonzalez has the flu
(8/23/2004) Gonzalez was not in the starting lineup on Sunday due to the flu.
Rockies' Gonzalez returns
(7/31/2004) Luis Gonzalez (knee) was back in the starting lineup Saturday against Arizona.
Rockies' Gonzalez sits again
(7/29/2004) Luis Gonzalez (knee) remained out of the starting lineup Thursday against the Dodgers.
(7/29/2004) Luis Gonzalez missed Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to a bruised left knee suffered in a collision with teammate Royce Clayton on Tuesday night.
Rockies' Gonzalez leaves game
(7/27/2004) Luis Gonzalez left Tuesday's game against Los Angeles in the fourth inning after colliding with teammate Royce Clayton while pursuing a ball.
Colorado's Gonzalez losing grip
(5/26/2004) Gonzalez has just four hits in 25 at-bats since taking over at second base and the leadoff spot on a full-time basis.
Luis Gonzalez sees more time
(5/16/2004) Gonzalez will be the team's full-time second baseman now that Aaron Miles has been returned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Luis Gonzalez earning respect
(5/14/2004) The Colorado Rockies’ middle infielder is earning praise from his clubhouse. "His name is going to spread around the league. I'm sure about that," Clint Hurdle told the Rocky Mountain News. "He's handling some tough pitching. He's playing steady second base. He's making improvements each and every day."
Colorado's Gonzalez plays LF
(4/8/2004) Luis Gonzalez started in left field for Colorado on Wednesday. He started at second base in the season opener and played shortstop and third base in spring training. Clint Hurdle told the Rocky Mountain News Gonzalez can also play first base and right field. "We're going to run this guy all around the field and see what he can do, see what it evolves into," Hurdle said.
Rockies start Luis Gonzalez
(4/7/2004) Gonzalez started at second base in Tuesday's opener at Arizona.
Colorado's Gonzalez to start
(4/6/2004) Luis Gonzalez will be Colorado's opening day second baseman and leadoff hitter against Arizona. "We saw what he could do in spring training, and now we are going to see what he can do during the season," Clint Hurdle told the Rocky Mountain News. "We're going to get at-bats for him all over the place."
