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According to:
The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News


DENVER -- Saturday's game was only an intrasquad contest, but it seemed so right, with right-hander Aaron Cook starting for the Rockies.
Cook, who hasn't pitched in a Major League game since suffering an oblique strain on Aug. 10, believes he's healthy enough to return to the rotation for the World Series.

"There's no doubt in my mind about my condition," Cook said.

Left-hander Jeff Francis, who took over leadership of the staff in Cook's absence and has won 19 games (including both postseason starts), is set for Game 1. Rookie right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who has a 1.59 ERA in two postseason starts, is set for Game 2.

The Rockies haven't announced anything beyond that. But Cook and Josh Fogg, who has a win in relief and one as a starter in the postseason, were the starting pitchers for Saturday's intrasquad game.

Cook pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up three earned runs, including a homer, and four hits. He struck out three and walked two.

Rookie left-hander Franklin Morales, who has had starts of just three and four innings in the postseason, entered the game toward the end of Saturday's workout after a lengthy bullpen session.

Before the workout, Morales felt ill and, while holding his medication bottle, politely declined an interview request. But Morales threw two scoreless innings, with two walks.

Originally, Cook expected to throw Sunday. The Rockies are still scheduled to work out on Sunday, but a snow/rain mix is expected in the Denver area.

The Rockies haven't announced any roster decisions and have until Wednesday, the morning of Game 1 on the road against either the Indians or the Red Sox.

Cook had thrown one rehab game in Arizona instructional ball before the National League Championship Series and felt ready, but manager Clint Hurdle determined that wasn't enough and didn't activate him. Since then, Cook has thrown a simulated game and Saturday's intrasquad game.

Cook, who overcame a slow start and was 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA during the regular season, rejected the notion that he was auditioning on Saturday.

"I was the Opening Day starter," Cook said. "I've been in this organization 12 years. I think they know what they can count on."

The Rockies are scheduled to head to the American League champion's city after Monday's workout and will have a session in that city Tuesday.

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