SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Cleveland pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez nailed former teammate Troy Tulowitzki in the elbow Sunday, carrying their feud onto the field and causing the Indians and Colorado Rockies to clear the benches.
Tulowitzki left the exhibition game after being hit in the left elbow by Jimenez's first pitch. The Rockies star was taken to a hospital for precautionary X-rays, which were negative.
Jimenez sprang off the mound after hitting Tulowitzki in the first inning. Tulowitzki took a step toward Jimenez and said something to him, prompting the pitcher to say "Come on!" and motion at the All-Star shortstop.
Jimenez and Tulowitzki jawed near the plate, but were held back from getting at each other. The benches emptied, but there were no punches or ejections.
Jimenez recently told The Denver Post that he was upset he didn't receive a contract extension while Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez got new deals. Jimenez was traded by Colorado to the Indians last summer.
Tulowitzki was quoted in the same story as basically saying Jimenez needs to get over his frustration and get on with his career.
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