Recovering Runnells briefly steps in for Weiss

PITTSBURGH — As Rockies bench coach, Tom Runnells’ job is to strategize a few steps ahead of the action while advising manager Walt Weiss. In the past, however, he loved the physical part, such as throwing batting practice or catching and throwing with players working on their skills.

This year, Runnells is strictly a thinking man.

Runnells, who managed the club Sunday against the Pirates because Weiss flew back to Denver for the high school graduation of his son, Bo, underwent extensive right arm surgery on his elbow, rotator cuff and triceps in November. While he is doing some rehab throwing, he is not at the stage of pitching batting practice.

At 61, Runnells’s playing days are long behind him, but in many ways he is like an injured player who is driven to get back to doing what he loves.

“That was such a big part of me and what I do,” said Runnells, who also had knee replacement surgery a couple of years ago. “Especially when you’re a baseball player, throwing is a big part of who you are. But as a coach, I’ve always prided myself on being able to throw a lot of batting practice — and quality BP. So when you can’t do it, it’s like somebody stole a toy from you — your favorite toy.”

After last season, Runnells visited a surgeon to repair a broken bursa sac in the elbow. The doctor discovered bone chips. Runnells then …

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