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Social media comes #TogetherForBettis By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | March 21st, 2017 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies Nation, baseball fans and, well, good people everywhere received a happy and hopeful

tweet before bed Monday night.

Monday marked Rockies right-handed pitcher Chad Bettis' first chemotherapy treatment as he battles testicular cancer.

Bettis hopes to return to pitching this season.

Follow

Chad Bettis Wow! I mean WOW people! Thank you so much for everything! The love, support and prayers! My

family and I love y'all! We WILL beat this! 7:16 PM - 20 Mar 2017

The Rockies used social media to allow fans, teammates and everyone to rally under the hashtag #TogetherForBettis.

MEDIA CLIPS – March 22, 2017

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Colorado Rockies Chad Bettis began his chemotherapy treatment today. Let's show Chad and his family how much love and support they have!#TogetherForBettis 5:35 PM - 20 Mar 2017

Teammates such as catcher Tony Wolters, shortstop Trevor Story, relief pitcher Matt Carasiti and first baseman Ian

Desmond helped lead the response.

Tony Wolters One of the strongest guys that I know, he will be back on the mound better than ever soon. We are all behind you brother. You got this.

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Trevor Story

We are #BettisBrave and we are behind you my dude! Much love @cbettis35 8:13 PM - 20 Mar 2017

Matt Carasiti #TogetherForBettis stay strong brotha! We're all here for you! @cbettis35 9:13 PM - 20 Mar 2017 Follow

Ian Desmond @Rockies @cbettis35 Been great getting to know you so far this spring, can't wait to take the field with you. #TogetherForBettis 5:48 PM - 20 Mar 2017

And Bettis' old college team, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, stood up for him.

Follow

Texas Tech Baseball @TTU_Baseball #WreckEm #TogetherForBettis https://twitter.com/Rockies/status/843984494143180801 … 5:49 PM - 20 Mar 2017

One of the first players in the Majors to step in was Cubs pitcher Jon Lester, who survived a bout with anaplastic large

cell lymphoma.

Follow

Jon Lester We're with you! RT @Cubs: @Indians @Rockies @cbettis35@Reds Thinking of you, Chad. Keep fighting. #NVRQT#StayStrong@JLester34 @ARizzo44 6:09 PM - 20 Mar 2017

Teams around the Majors also noted that even though Bettis is a rival, they're all in this together.

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Arizona Diamondbacks @Rockies @cbettis35 We'll fight this together, Chad! With you every step of the way. #TogetherForBettis @Padres @Dodgers@SFGiants 8:15 PM - 20 Mar 2017

The National Football League's Denver Broncos, Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids -- using a picture of goalkeeper

Tim Howard, who had a memorable visit to the Rockies' clubhouse last year -- and Major League Lacrosse's Denver

Outlaws led the charge among Denver's pro sports teams.

Follow

Denver Broncos #BroncosCountry is definitely #TogetherForBettis. Stay strong, @cbettis35.@nfl

Colorado Rockies Chad Bettis began his chemotherapy treatment today. Let's show Chad and his family how much love and support they have!#TogetherForBettis pic.twitter.com/fGCZkZANIp

Colorado Rapids .@Rockies @cbettis35 The entire #Rapids96 organization is with you Chad. Can't wait to see you back on the mound!#TogetherForBettis pic.twitter.com/bCMnyjDoSF 6:39 PM - 20 Mar 2017

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Denver Outlaws Stay strong @cbettis35#OutlawsNation is cheering for you! #TogetherForBettis @Broncos https://twitter.com/Rockies/status/843984494143180801 … 7:24 AM - 21 Mar 2017

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Chatwood fans 12 Minor Leaguers in tune-up By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | March 21st, 2017 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tyler Chatwood felt a little stuffy, allergies and all. And he was working Tuesday while his

Rockies teammates had the day off. But it was a good day.

Needing to stay on schedule and keep the rest of the staff in line, Chatwood faced Rockies Minor Leaguers for six innings

and struck out 12 while holding them to one run on four hits and one walk. Of the right-hander's 80 pitches, 59 were

strikes. Chatwood also aced his assignment: To mix in all of his pitches. His fastball was up in the zone and his curveball

was particularly sharp.

One of his innings featured three strikeouts on 10 pitches, with a single two-strike foul ball standing between him and

what's known as an immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches).

"I felt good with everything," Chatwood told a reporter at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. "They're young but they're still

hitters, so you've got to take them serious.

"I feel like my command is where I want it to be right now. That's just the biggest thing, getting my pitch count up. I still felt

strong my last inning. I think my last two were the sharpest."

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CarGo enjoys WBC '17, happy to rejoin Rockies By Owen Perkins / MLB.com | March 21st, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A quick glance around the Rockies' clubhouse Monday morning revealed a roomful of players with

wide smiles on their faces. Carlos Gonzalez was back from the World Baseball Classic, and rather than lament the

second-round exit by Team Venezuela, he and his teammates reveled in the opportunity to be back together as a team.

In his second Classic, Gonzalez went four games further with Venezuela than in 2013, forcing a tiebreaker and making it

to the second round, where his team went winless against Puerto Rico, the United States and the Dominican Republic.

"At least I'm glad that I got to play a little longer," Gonzalez said. "Last time I only played three games and we were out. Of

course, you want to be in the championship, but it was a little better. It was fun."

The challenge of moving on through two tough pools made for an intense break from Spring Training, and Venezuela

advanced from the first round through a complicated tiebreaker process that favored its lineup's ability to put crooked

numbers on the scoreboard.

Gonzalez did his part, hitting .308 (8-for-26) with a pair of doubles in seven games, amping things up after starting the

spring at .250 (5-for-20) in seven Cactus League games.

"It's good for the players," Gonzalez said. "You're playing almost playoff games this early. It's going to help us mentally

just to take everything else so slow, because we were playing fast games with a lot of adrenaline."

The winless second round was tough on Venezuela, but Gonzalez found plenty of positives to make it worthwhile.

"The whole second round was fun, because the teams that were in it -- U.S., Dominican, Puerto Rico, Venezuela,"

Gonzalez said. "It was fun to play against my teammate [Nolan Arenado]. This is not going to happen very often, so you

better enjoy it. It felt weird to have a tough spot, I'm playing defense, and Nolan is hitting. What do I do now?"

Arenado and reliever Jake McGee are still competing with Team USA -- the second time the team has made it to the

semifinals in four Classics, and Gonzalez credits success with waking the American fans up and getting them more

excited by the tournament.

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"It's hard not to when your team is in," Gonzalez said, lighting up the locker room with his laughter. "If your team's not in it,

you don't care anymore."

Ultimately, Gonzalez's second Classic was worth it, and it's easy to imagine the 31-year-old leaping at the chance to

represent Venezuela again in four years.

"The WBC's a tournament we play for our country," Gonzalez said. "You go from playing games here when you're trying

to get ready, to playing 150 percent. But it was fun being around the guys and playing against some really good players

from other countries. I can't regret that."

The World Baseball Classic runs through Wednesday. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network

and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the

exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament

game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed

internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and

Japan. Get tickets for games the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including

schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

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Bettis begins chemo, hopes to pitch in '17 Rox righty battling recurrence of testicular cancer; Dahl's bone healing By Owen Perkins / Special to MLB.com | March 20th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies are working to get a handful of players back onto Salt River Fields at their Spring

Training complex, but their thoughts on Monday were with pitcher Chad Bettis.

Bettis learned two weeks ago that his testicular cancer had spread since his Nov. 29 surgery. He began chemotherapy

Monday in an effort to aggressively treat the cancer. Having caught the recurrence early gave Bettis tremendous hope for

being able to beat it and get back to baseball.

"Chad has handled this so gracefully and courageously," manager Bud Black said before Monday's game with the Cubs.

"He's kept such a positive frame of mind around the clubhouse, and to the guys, it's been great. You could see why so

many players gravitate to him and the role that he's taken on this team through a leadership position. The last couple

years, he's been great. His work with guys in and around the clubhouse has shown, and even through this, he's been just

a pillar of strength."

Colorado is not setting any timetable for Bettis, but the 27-year-old right-hander is driven to return to the mound.

"Today's the first day," Black said. "His intent is to be ready to pitch for the Rockies sometime this summer."

Bettis was 14-8 with a 4.79 ERA in his first full season in the rotation last year, making 32 starts. He made 20 starts for the

club in 2015 and appeared 21 times in relief in '14.

In other health news, the Rockies got good news from Friday's MRI on outfielder David Dahl, who suffered a stress

reaction in the sixth rib two and a half weeks ago.

"The bone is healing, which is a great sign," Black said. "It's not totally healed. There's no activity yet for David as far as

any baseball activity, but he's going to continue to do some work in the training room, some strengthening, he can do all

his legs, but upper body is still 10 days away."

Left-hander Chris Rusin progressed from throwing on flat ground to throwing off the mound in his first bullpen session

since a right oblique injury March 3.

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Right-hander Chad Qualls, who hasn't pitched since March 1 due to soreness in his right forearm, was also expected to

throw for the first time Monday.

"Chris is close," Black said. "He's going to throw a bullpen [session] today. I think Chad Qualls is going to throw a little bit

today too. Rusin's gaining on it. Chad's gaining on it."

Rusin, 30, was a contender for the rotation until the injury slowed him down. He was 3-5 with a 3.74 ERA in 2016, making

seven starts and 22 relief outings over 84 1/3 innings.

Qualls, 38, pitched out of the 'pen 44 times for Colorado in 2016, posting a 5.23 ERA in 32 2/3 innings.

Worth noting

The Rockies announced three cuts Monday. Right-hander C.C. Lee and outfielders Noel Cuevas and Mike

Tauchman were reassigned to the Minor League camp.

Lee was 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in six relief appearances, spanning 4 1/3 innings. Cuevas hit .273 (6-for-22) in 18 Cactus

League games and Tauchman was 5-for-28 (.179) in 19 games.

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Diaz's fastball blazing in return from Tommy John Reliever could rejoin Rox before May; prospect Marquez sharp in 'B' game By Owen Perkins / Special to MLB.com | March 20th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Anyone skipping the last two innings at Salt River Fields to beat Monday's rush-hour traffic missed

the rush of seeing Rockies reliever Jairo Diaz make his first Cactus League appearance after missing all of last season

following Tommy John surgery.

The righty retired the first two Cubs in the eighth before yielding five runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out one and

reached 98.8 mph with his fastball.

"He hasn't pitched in 12 months," manager Bud Black said after a 9-6 loss to the Cubs. "The first two at-bats were great,

and then he started elevating the fastball. By that time, their hitters were on his velocity, and he couldn't get his secondary

pitches in the strike zone. He tried a couple times with the change and slider, but he had no feel for those. A Major

League hitter, or a guy in big league camp, will be able to hit a fastball that's not located, regardless of the velocity."

Black originally expected Diaz to be ready in May, but after discussing the fireballer with the coaching staff, Black

concedes Diaz could be ready earlier than anticipated.

"We're going to monitor him," Black said. "We like the way he's thrown as far as his stuff. His velocity seems to have come

back. We're going to continue to watch his progress as he bounces back from outings. We're going to critically evaluate

his slider and his changeup. But it could be before May.

"We've got two more weeks of Spring Training where he'll get a couple more outings. Just how he's feeling and how his

overall stuff is? It's pretty good. Now we got to get him making pitches, where after the first two hitters today he did not."

Marquez pitches in 'B' game

While starter Tyler Anderson was proving his prowess against the Cubs, rotation candidate German Marquez had a

strong outing in a "B" game against Minor Leaguers on the Giants.

The righty tossed five innings of two-hit ball while walking two and striking out six. He threw 69 pitches.

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"Today was very good because my confidence is returning," said Marquez, ranked as the Rockies' No. 4 prospect by

MLBPipeline.com. "The last three outings, [my confidence] was a little bit low."

Marquez pitched quickly and efficiently, getting through four innings without a hit before yielding two in his final frame.

"Fast is my tempo," he said. "I like to be quick. Don't be on the mound."

Marquez, 22, has pitched in four Cactus League games, allowing eight earned runs over nine innings. He is one of at

least three pitchers competing for two remaining rotation spots, along with Tyler Chatwood, Jon Gray and Anderson.

Right-hander Jeff Hoffman (1-0, 4.76 ERA over 5 2/3 innings) and Harrison Musgrave (1-0, 3.27 over 11 innings) are

the other prime contenders.

"To me, every game is an opportunity, so I [pitch] like this is my last game," Marquez said, noting that his focus in the

remaining two weeks is improving his command.

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Anderson limits Cubs in five-inning start By Owen Perkins and Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | March 20th, 2017

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs and Rockies each got strong performances from starters expected to be stalwarts in their

rotations Monday. The teams played a tight game through seven innings in front of a sellout crowd of 13,380 at Salt River

Fields at Talking Stick before Matt Szczur's two-run homer paced a six-run eighth in a 9-6 Cubs victory.

Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs in the fourth. The Major League ERA leader in

2016 at 2.13, Hendricks maintained a torrid strikeout pace Monday, running his Cactus League tally to 14 in 13 2/3

innings.

Rockies starter Tyler Anderson was solid, throwing five innings and keeping the World Series champs to three runs (two

earned) on six hits while striking out four and walking none.

"In terms of executing, it was probably better than the line, but there were a couple hitters there where it got away for a

little bit, "Anderson said. "In the real season you don't have the luxury of doing that. You have to lock in for the entire time.

It's a good learning point."

Chicago opened the scoring in the third with a leadoff double to center by Jeimer Candelario. Munenori

Kawasaki singled to left to put runners on the corners, and Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. plated them with a

single to right and a sacrifice fly, respectively. Schwarber delivered on manager Joe Maddon's assertion that he could

change the offense from the top of the order, and his ability to plate a run and propel a rally as the lineup turned over

made an honest man of his manager.

"When you see [Schwarber] up there, you can't really [take it easy]," Hendricks said of the Cubs' new leadoff man. "There

might be an adjustment from the league as far as how aggressive they are out of the gate instead of feeling out that first

pitch. 'Schwarbs' will take a cut at the first one anyway, it doesn't matter. I love being on this side. Facing [the Cubs'

lineup], I would definitely change some things for sure."

Chicago added on in the fourth when Szczur bunted to the pitcher for a base hit and advanced to second on Anderson's

errant throw. Szczur came home on back-to-back flies to center in the midst of a 3-for-4 day.

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The Rockies rallied in the fourth with Trevor Story's leadoff double to left. Raimel Tapia reached on an infield single deep

in the gap between first and second. Cristhian Adames and Dustin Garneau delivered run-scoring singles before Szczur

ran down a drive to the wall in the right-field corner to end the inning with the Cubs up by a run.

Ian Happ, the Cubs' top pick in the 2015 Draft, was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs to raise his Cactus League average to .400.

Colorado closer Greg Holland was sharp, pitching the sixth inning and allowing one hit while striking out two in his third

Cactus League game. His fastball topped out at 94.4 mph.

Jairo Diaz made his first appearance for the Rockies since missing all of 2016 following Tommy John surgery. He retired

the first two hitters he faced before giving up five runs on four hits and a walk in the eighth. His fastball reached 98.8 mph.

Max White hit a two-run double in a four-run eighth as the Rockies cut the Cubs' lead to 9-6, but Jordan Patterson -- who

represented the potential tying run -- grounded out to end the frame.

Cubs Up Next: After an off-day Tuesday, the Cubs resume Cactus League play Wednesday against the Reds in

Goodyear. Ryan Williams will start for Chicago. First pitch will be 8:05 p.m. CT on MLB.TV. Jon Lester is scheduled to

pitch in a Minor League game that day to stay on schedule.

Rockies Up Next: The Rockies are off Tuesday, but Tyler Chatwood will throw five innings in a Minor League intrasquad

game at 10:30 a.m. MT on Field 1 at Salt River Fields to keep on his schedule. When the team returns Wednesday

against the Reds at 2:10 p.m. MT on MLB.TV, expect to see Carlos Gonzalez back in the lineup following his stint with

Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez hit .308 (8-for-26) with a pair of doubles in seven Classic

games.

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Rockies’ Tyler Chatwood primed for breakout season — if he can solve Coors Field pitching woes Chatwood is entering his sixth season in the majors By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | March 21st, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Rockies had a rare day off Tuesday, so many of them played golf, or hung out with their

families at the condo pool or enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in.

Not so for Tyler Chatwood, who, at age 27 and entering his sixth season in the majors, is being leaned on as the leader of

a young, talented but inexperienced rotation.

Tuesday was the right-hander’s regularly scheduled day to pitch, so there he was, working on the No. 3 diamond at Salt

River Fields against a collection of minor-leaguers. When his morning work was done, Chatwood emerged hot, sweaty

and satisfied.

“I felt really good with everything today, especially throwing my high fastball and my curve,” Chatwood said. “I feel like my

command is where it needs to be right now. I think my last two innings were my best.

“Today I was really using my curveball a lot more, and I really feel good about it now. And in my past two games, I think I

have struck out seven guys using my changeup. So that’s all good.”

Statistics in scrimmages such as Tuesday’s can be misleading, but Chatwood’s eye-popping line was six innings, four

hits, one run, one walk and 12 strikeouts. He threw 80 pitches, 59 for strikes. Scrimmage or no scrimmage, that’s

excellent command.

It’s the kind of stuff Colorado needs from Chatwood if it is going to be a legitimate contender in the National League

West. With his friend Chad Bettis out of the rotation for the foreseeable future as he battles testicular cancer, the

pressure is on Chatwood to produce the best season of his career.

New manager Bud Black believes the right-hander is up to the challenge.

“He’s got good stuff,” Black said. “He’s got velocity. He’s got movement. I love his grit. I love his determination. He pitches

with emotion. I like that. He gets after it. He’s on the attack. I like that.”

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Last season, returning coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, which wiped out all of his 2015 season,

Chatwood threw fastballs — a 92-93 mph four-seamer, a 92 mph two-seamer and an 86 mph cutter — about 91 percent

of the time. He shied away from using his other pitches, such as his curveball (4.8 percent). Still, that was good enough to

finish 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA.

But the Rockies hope, with increased versatility, that Chatwood’s best is yet to come.

“He’s working on some things, delivery-wise and pitch-selection-wise,” Black said. “I would like to seem him utilize his

curve a little bit more, both at home and on the road. His changeup has developed as a weapon, which is good. But he

has to take that into the season.”

The most puzzling aspect of Chatwood’s 2016 season was his dramatic home-road splits. Away from Coors Field, he

pitched like Cy Young, going 8-1 and compiling a 1.69 ERA in 13 road starts. Over the past 10 seasons, the only pitcher

to have a lower road ERA while pitching at least 80 innings was Chicago Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta (1.60, in 2015).

At Coors Field, Chatwood struggled, with a 4-8 record and 6.12 ERA.

Chatwood sees those numbers as an aberration, based on a few bad innings that caused his home ERA to soar. But the

truth is, he gave up six or more earned runs five times, pitching five innings or fewer in each instance.

“I just have to be better at home,” he said. “I’ve been good at home my whole career, but last year I wasn’t. I know I can

pitch well at Coors, so I’m not too worried about it.”

Numbers suggest that Chatwood’s stuff was simply more hittable at Coors than on the road. While his strikeouts and

walks were similar, opponents batted .303 against Chatwood at Coors vs. just .190 away from home.

Black, however, disagrees with the idea that Chatwood’s pitches move and work significantly better at lower altitudes.

“I think that last year was a little bit of an abberation,” Black said. “To be honest with you, I haven’t addressed it with

Chatty at all. … It’s about making pitches, no matter where you pitch, whether it’s in Colorado or on the road.”

Road, sweet road

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Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood thrived pitching on the road in 2016. At Coors Field, it was a different story. A

comparison:

Road

• Starts: 13

• Innings: 80.0

• ERA: 1.69

• Average against: .190

• Home runs allowed: 4

• Doubles allowed: 9

• WHIP: 1.113

Home

• Starts: 14

• Innings: 78.0

• ERA: 6.12

• Average against: .303

• Home runs allowed: 11

• Doubles allowed: 23

• WHIP: 1.641

(WHIP: Walks and hits per inning pitched)

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Carlos Gonzalez returns to spring training from the WBC waiting for more Rockies at-bats “It’s nice to get our players back,” manager Bud Black said By Nick Groke / Denver Post | March 21st, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Wearing a T-shirt with Babe Ruth’s mug matted on the front, Carlos Gonzalez sat back at his

corner locker in Colorado’s clubhouse Monday, the noise level spiking with him.

“If I’m not going to be in the lineup, then why did I come back?” Gonzalez said, joking with teammates.

The Rockies’ right fielder has returned to spring training, finally, after a two-week detour playing for Venezuela in the

World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez hit .308, with two doubles among his eight hits before Venezuela got knocked out of

second-round pool play Saturday in a 13-2 loss to Puerto Rico.

But Gonzalez won’t be back in Colorado’s lineup until Wednesday.

“You have to go from playing games here when you’re trying to get ready for a season to a tournament when you need to

be 150 percent,” Gonzalez said about his sojourn. “But it was fun being around those guys. I got to play against some

really good players.”

Gonzalez is in the final season of a seven-year, $80 million contract that pays him $20 million this year. The Rockies’

decision to keep him was a declarative non-move. It seems to signal they are serious about winning now, as opposed to

trading him for prospects to win later.

Gonzalez remains an elite hitter. With Venezuela, he was an obvious choice on a stacked roster alongside Miguel

Cabrera, Jose Altuve and Victor Martinez, among others. Venezuela struggled in an 11-10 loss to Italy and an 11-9 win

over Mexico in the first round, then went 0-3 in the second round, including a 4-2 loss to the U.S.

“It’s hard to point fingers. But let’s be honest, not a lot of people were ready to play in this tournament,” Gonzalez said.

“When you see Altuve and Martinez not hitting, it’s like, OK something is going on. Same with pitchers.”

Gonzalez did not hesitate to play for Venezuela and is not concerned about getting back into preparation to be ready for

the April 3 season opener at Milwaukee. His manager, Bud Black, is similarly confident his slugger will re-acclimate into

spring training.

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“We cross our fingers as managers about the guys playing because they’re away from us and not under our eye,” Black

said. “We trust the people so much who are part of those teams. But it’s nice to get our players back.”

For Gonzalez, the WBC felt something like playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, a heated offseason competition

when major-league players are usually not in midseason form. The tournament is also unlike spring games, when starters

often play limited innings.

Before the tournament, Gonzalez told Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado how to handle his first WBC, advising him to

prepare physically and mentally for long games and higher stakes. Gonzalez’s first game against Italy, which Venezuela

won 11-10, lasted more than five hours.

“I knew you’re going to need gas to do it,” Gonzalez said.

Arenado, on Team USA, plays a semifinal game Tuesday night against Japan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

“I knew it would take a lot out of my body, and mentally too,” Gonzalez said. “I told Nolan: ‘I know it’s exhausting. Your

body will feel a little weird. But have fun.’

“He went out and got a couple hits. But then he was mad at me because he made an error.”

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Tyler Anderson pitches 5 uneven innings in Rockies’ 9-6 loss to Cubs Greg Holland pitches a scoreless sixth, striking out two By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | March 21st, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two weeks away from the season opener at Milwaukee, Rockies pitchers remain in tune-up

mode. For left-handed starter Tyler Anderson, that means finding more consistent pitch command, as exhibited in a 9-6

loss to the Chicago Cubs Monday afternoon.

“Overall, I think today was a positive for Tyler,” manager Bud Black said.

For starters: Anderson’s line reflected his uneven performance: Five innings, three runs (two earned) on six hits and four

strikeouts over five innings. Anderson, however, needed 81 pitches to get through his outing, and he had a throwing error.

Asked if he would describe his performance as “so-so,” Anderson replied: “I think there was probably a little bit of that. I

think my execution was probably better than my line was.

“There were a couple of hitters that got away from me a little bit, but in the real season you really don’t have the luxury of

doing that. You have to be able to lock in the entire time, so (today) was a good learning point.”

Hits: It was a good afternoon for veteran right-hander Jason Motte, who’s trying to pin down a spot in the bullpen. His

fastball hit 93.4 mph and he set the Cubs down in order in the seventh. … Closer Greg Holland pitched a scoreless sixth,

striking out two with nasty sliders. His fastball velocity was clocked between 93-95 mph. … Outfielder Raimel Tapia, likely

to start the season at Triple-A, continued to flash his talents. He started in right field, singled and scored a run in the fourth

and singled and stole second in the sixth. He’s batting .310. … Right-hander Carlos Estevezlooked sharp in his inning of

work, striking out two.

Misses: Right-handed reliever Jairo Diaz, making his first Cactus League appearance after missing all of last season

because of Tommy John surgery, got hit hard, giving up five runs on four hits (including a homer) while getting just two

outs. The good news: his fastball reached 98 mph. …

Up next: Rockies have Tuesday off before resuming Cactus League play on Wednesday when they host Cleveland at

2:10 p.m. (MDT) at Salt River Fields.

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David Dahl healing, but Rockies outfielder at least 10 days out from baseball activity German Marquez impressive in backfield game against the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A lineup By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | March 21st, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The waiting continues for injured Rockies outfielder David Dahl.

Though results from last Friday’s MRI showed some healing to his injured right-side rib, Dahl is still not ready for baseball

activities. He will have to undergo another MRI in about 10 days to measure his progress.

“The bone is healing, which is a great sign,” manager Bud Black said Monday. “It’s not totally healed, and there is no

activity yet for David, as far as baseball activity. But he is going to continue to do his work in the training room and work

out his legs. But upper body, as far as workouts go, is still at least 10 days away.”

Dahl arrived at spring training as the favorite to win the starting job in left field and build off an excellent rookie season for

the Rockies, but he was diagnosed with a stress reaction of his sixth rib early in camp. Dahl, the 10th player selected in

the 2012 draft, hit .315 with seven homers in 63 games last season, his first in the majors. He has played in just two

Cactus League games this spring.

Marquez impresses. Right-hander German Marquez, one of four young pitchers vying for two open spots in the season-

opening rotation, flashed a major-league curve ball in an impressive backfield game against the San Francisco Giants‘

Triple-A lineup.

Marquez, 22, did not allow a hit through four innings before finishing five innings with 69 pitches, including two hits, no

runs, six strikeouts and two walks. He struck out three batters with a curveball and another with a slider.

“My confidence is returning with my out pitch,” he said. “The last few outings, it was a little bit lost. Sometimes you need to

keep working and figure it out.”

Rusin improves. Left-hander Chris Rusin, out since March 3 with a sore right oblique, is making steady progress toward

his return. Rusin, 30, pitched his first bullpen session Monday. Rusin, whom the Rockies have penciled in as either a fifth

starter or long reliever, won’t be ready to start games by the season-opening game at Milwaukee on April 3, but he might

be ready for bullpen work.

Footnotes. Veteran right-hander Chad Qualls, who hasn’t pitched since March 1 due to soreness in his right forearm,

threw for the first time Monday, though it was not a bullpen session. … Right-hander Jairo Diaz pitched in his first game

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since missing all of 2016 following Tommy John surgery. He retired the first two hitters he faced before giving up five runs

on five hits and a walk in the eighth. His fastball reached 98.8 mph, but he was rusty and had trouble commanding his

changeup and slider. … Right-hander C.C. Lee and outfielders Noel Cuevas and Mike Tauchman were reassigned to

minor-league camp.

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MLB, Colorado Rockies Twitter rally as Chad Bettis undergoes chemotherapy By The Denver Post / Denver Post | March 21st, 2017

#TogetherforBettis and #BettisBrave were two hashtags that surfaced Monday as many prominent baseball players and

organizations showed their support for Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis who will undergo chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

Bettis was diagnosed with testicular cancer in late November. Following surgery, Bettis seemed to be in the clear after a

blood test revealed that he was cancer free. But another test March 10 revealed that his cancer was not gone.

Though he hopes to be back later this season for Colorado, he is out indefinitely.

The Rockies, the MLB and fans in and out of state showed their support for Bettis on Twitter.

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World Baseball Classic 2017 results: United States defeats Japan, advances to first WBC final Team USA will face Puerto Rico in the championship on Wednesday By Adam Peterson / Purple Row | @playerTBNL | Mar 21, 2017

The team that was known more by some by who wasn’t on the team will now play for the title. The United States defeated

Japan, 2-1, and advanced to the World Baseball Classic finals. They will face Puerto Rico on Wednesday night at

Dodger Stadium as both nations seek their first ever World Baseball Classic title.

It didn’t have the same pizzazz as the previous semifinal, but Team USA was still able to do just enough to defeat

Japan. The difference came in the top of the eighth when center fielder Adam Jones hit a soft ground ball to third,

scoring Brandon Crawford from third when Japan’s third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda was unable to field the ball

cleanly, giving Team USA the lead for good.

It was Team USA’s first win over Japan in the World Baseball Classic. The two teams last played in the 2009 semifinal,

when Japan beat the US 9-4 en route to their second WBC championship.

The forecast in Los Angeles called for rain for most of the night, so there were questions about whether the game might

need to be called after it became official. Instead we got a tense pitcher’s dual in the drizzle. Tomoyuki Sugano of the

Yomiuri Giants was able to keep USA hitters off balance for most of the game, striking out six batters on the night. But his

defense let him down in the fourth. With one out Christian Yelich reached on a fielding error and advanced to second.

Three batters later Andrew McCutchen ripped an RBI single to give the US a 1-0 lead.

That was the only blemish for Sugano, who went six innings, allowed just the one unearned run on three hits, one walk,

and six strikeouts. Tanner Roark, making his second tournament appearance, had similar success, shutting out Japan

through four innings and allowed just two hits, a walk, a hit by pitch, with one strikeout.

The Japanese got on the board in the sixth off the bat of Ryosuke Kikuchi. The infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp

drove a 1-2 pitch from Nate Jones over the right field wall just out of reach for McCutchen.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the top of the eighth inning. With one out Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford singled

to right followed by a double off the bat of Ian Kinsler to put runners at second and third. Then, the man who has taken

on the moniker Captain America stepped to the plate—and hit a broken bat squibbler to third base as Crawford broke for

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home. Third baseman Matsuda couldn’t field the ball cleanly and had to settle for the out at first, but the run scored and it

was 2-1, United States.

The team missed opportunities in the eighth and ninth innings to add an insurance run, but the combination of Mark

Melancon, Pat Neshek, and Luke Gregerson were able to keep Japan’s bats at bay to secure the win.

We’ll have a full preview of the final tomorrow.

WBC Championship Game for Wednesday, March 22

Puerto Rico vs. United States

Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California

Time: 7:00 p.m. MT

TV: MLB Network

Steaming: MLV.tv

Championship Round

WBC Championship Schedule

Date Team vs Team Time Venue Semifinals March 20 Netherlands (3) vs Puerto Rico (4) F/11 Dodger Stadium March 21 United States (2) vs Japan (1) F Dodger Stadium Finals March 22 United States vs Puerto Rico 7:00 pm MT Dodger Stadium

Second Round Recap

WBC Pool E Schedule and Results

Date Team v Team Time Venue March 11 Cuba (1) vs Israel (4) Tokyo Dome March 12 Japan (8) vs Netherlands (6) Tokyo Dome March 13 Netherlands (12) vs Israel (2) Tokyo Dome March 14 Cuba (5) vs Japan (8) Tokyo Dome March 14 Netherlands (14) vs Cuba (1) Tokyo Dome March 15 Israel (3) vs Japan (8) Tokyo Dome

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Pool E Standings

Rank Team Wins Losses Runs Scored Runs Allowed 1 Japan 3 0 24 14 2 Netherlands 2 1 32 11 3 Israel 1 2 9 21 4 Cuba 0 3 7 26

WBC Pool F Schedule and Results

Date Team v Team Time Venue March 14 Dominican Republic (1) vs Puerto Rico (3) Petco Park March 15 Venezuela (2) vs United States (4) Petco Park March 16 Venezuela (0) vs Dominican Republic (3) Petco Park March 17 United States (5) vs Puerto Rico (6) Petco Park March 18 Puerto Rico (13) vs Venezuela (2) Petco Park March 18 United States (6) vs Dominican Republic (3) Petco Park March 19 TBD TBD N/A Petco Park

Pool F Standings

Rank Team Wins Losses Runs Scored Runs Allowed 1 Puerto Rico 3 0 22 8 2 United States 2 1 15 11 3 Dominican Republic 1 2 7 9 4 Venezuela 0 3 4 20

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The Rockies’ starting rotation represents a changing of the guard Forget what you know about this team, because these aren’t your father’s Rockies. By Bryan Kilpatrick / Purple Row | @purplerowBK | Mar 21, 2017

Bud Black, for years, overachieved as the manager of the San Diego Padres, often winning a lot more games than

expected with some truly putrid rosters.

So, then, imagine the level of excitement the new Colorado Rockies skipper must feel inheriting an offense that, last

season, scored its most runs in any year since 2007 and is loaded with All-Star talent like Nolan Arenado, Carlos

Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, and Trevor Story.

"This is, offensively, the best group I've had,” Black said in a conversation with Purple Row. “These guys are legitimate

major league performers and they've done it over a long period of time. The names speak for themselves.”

That’s the typical kind of thing you might read about the Rockies’ lineup in just about every baseball publication. But it

doesn’t say anything about the actual strength of a team that should be entering a contention window.

The Rockies are almost always perceived to be full of strong offensive performers, but what has historically set their best

teams apart was the presence of a competent pitching staff. We saw it in 1995, when a fantastic bullpen carried the team

to its first trip to the postseason. It came again in 2007, when a pair of rookie hurlers joined a few effective veterans on a

ride to the World Series. And we saw it one more time in 2009, when five different pitchers started at least 27 games, and

all of them were significantly better than league average.

The Rockies’ current pitching staff, based on the combination of potential and performance, looks like it’s close to a

breakthrough. But don’t take my word for it.

“I was fortunate to have some very good pitching staffs in San Diego in a pitcher-friendly ballpark,” Black recollected. “I

think talent-wise, this group on the mound can be even better. They have a chance to be really, really formidable because

of their stuff.”

You don’t exactly have to squint to see it. Jon Gray, who enters this season as the staff ace, was the best rookie pitcher

in baseball last year, according to FanGraphs’ WAR. Tyler Anderson was better at limiting hard contact than anyone

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else in the game. Tyler Chatwood had the best road ERA in the majors. Chad Bettis, who unfortunately may not pitch

this season as a result of ongoing cancer treatment, has emerged as a solid, league-average rotation piece.

And that’s just the established guys. Black has never witnessed a stockpile of young pitching quite like what the Rockies

possess.

“From what Jeff [Bridich] and the player development people have told me about their makeup, their heads, their baseball

minds, their competitiveness—all of that is good, and it's something that's important to me because we're talking a lot of

guys,” Black explained. “The depth—[Kyle] Freeland, [Antonio] Senzatela, even down to [Ryan] Castellani and some of

the younger guys—is real and it's talented.”

Freeland and Senzatela, in addition to the apparent rotation frontrunners Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez, figure to

be in the mix for a starting spot now. Whoever doesn’t stick at the start of the season could be called upon later in the

year if one or more of the young arms struggles, something Black acknowledges as a possibility.

“The only thing we have to be cautious about is that it takes time for these guys to really become major league pitchers,”

Black said. “It happens fast for some guys, but for most it takes longer.”

It didn’t take too long for the likes of Gray and Anderson to establish themselves, but for every one of those there’s a

dozen Drew Pomeranzes or Eddie Butlers. Black and the Rockies know that, and it’s why they’ve amassed such an

impressive collection of young arms; at some point, one or two finally have to stick. It finally happened last year, and the

team believes it could happen again with a near-ready pitcher like Jeff Hoffman all the way down through a high-ceiling

thrower such as Riley Pint.

If and when it does, Colorado’s rotation could solidify as one of the very best in the game. So much for the Blake Street

Bombers. No, the new Rockies identity will be on the mound. The Rockies will be synonymous with good starting pitching.

Admittedly, that’s still in the dream phase, but a close look at 2016 combined with even a basic level of analysis of the

young arms on the way should lead one to believe that bold statement is not all that far from happening. The job of Black

and the Rockies in 2017 is simply to keep the momentum rolling.

“We're hoping that guys like Gray and Anderson really pitch as well as they did last year, Black said. “If that happens, we'll

be way ahead of the game."

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Colorado Rockies: 3 Things You Should Know on March 22 By Trysten Garcia / Rox Pile | March 21, 2017

The Colorado Rockies continue to inch closer to the regular season, and a majority of position battles and roster decisions

will soon be settled. Today’s first piece provides an alternative to two decisions.

Hoffman’s Alternative Role

Jeff Hoffman is expected to develop in to a top of the rotation starter for the Rockies at some point, but as Drew

Creasman of BSN Denver points out in this article, he may be best suited for a role in the Colorado bullpen to start the

season.

Hoffman has shown promise and an ability to eventually be a dominant starter, but he faces tough competition to break

the rotation on Opening Day. He has had a less than stellar Spring Training so far, and may not have enough time to

recover his spot in the rotation. Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela are currently the favorites to land the final two

rotation spots, and Hoffman is okay with the idea.

Wherever it is Hoffman starts the season, there is a good chance he will eventually crack the big league rotation and

become a staple in the young group. However, the prospect of him starting in the bullpen allows him to earn big league

experience and increase his desire to move forward.

Tyler “Lights Out” Chatwood

Tyler Chatwood pitched on Tuesday in a minor-league camp game, and threw one of his best outings of the spring.

Though the majority of batters he faced were Rockies minor leaguers, Chatwood struck out twelve batters in six innings.

Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post details Chatwood’s exceptional outing and sheds light on his young but promising

career with the Rockies in this story. He is just 27 years old, but many view him as the leader of the Colorado rotation.

He has shown great ability since being traded to the Rockies for Chris Ianetta, and has rebounded wonderfully from

Tommy John surgery just two years ago.

If Chatwood is able to pitch consistently at home this year as he did on the road last year, Saunders believes the Rockies

have a much better chance of making a run in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the “veteran leader” of the

rotation handles his fifth season in Colorado, but another step forward could lead to big things.

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Is Chuck the Key to Success?

Nolan Arenado is hands down the most talented player on the Rockies roster as it stands right now, but he may not be

the most important to their overall success. Jake Shapiro of BSN Denver has an interesting opinion on the matter in

his latest piece. Shapiro writes about the importance of veteran center fielder and ultimate fan-favorite Charlie

Blackmon.

In his six years with the club, Blackmon has become a solid outfielder and an even more dependable leadoff hitter. His

mix of speed and surprising power give the Rockies one of the most well rounded lineups in the league. He also is greatly

missed when he is not in the lineup.

Blackmon will look to take another step forward this season as he will be counted on to lead an even more talented lineup

this season in Colorado. After another offseason of trade rumors and speculation, it will be interesting to see how

Blackmon performs in a greater role.

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The 100 Greatest Colorado Rockies: 51 Kazuo Matsui By Ben Macaluso / Rox Pile | March 21, 2017

We continue our look at the top 100 Colorado Rockies of all time in this article. Here, we look at No. 51 on our list, Kazuo

Matsui.

Kazuo Matsui is still playing baseball. Better known simply as Kaz, the second baseman is playing in the Nippon

Professional Baseball league which is the highest league in Japan. He plays for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles,

since 2011.

This is the same league Matsui got his start in professional baseball in 1995 with the Seibu Lions. He was an excellent

player in Japan and the Mets signed him as a shortstop in 2004 when he was 28. Matsui struggled in 2005 after a decent

rookie season in the majors. His second season he batted .255 in only 87 games. He suffered from several injuries and

committed too many errors and was transitioned to second base.

Matsui started 2006 with the Mets but was traded to the Rockies in June for Eli Marrero. The Colorado Springs Sky Sox

was his home for two months until he finally made his debut in Denver in August. In 38 games with the Mets that season,

he batted .200. He never lived up to the lofty expectations in New York. In 32 games with the Rockies he batted .345.

That was enough for the Rockies to sign him another year.

That’s when he had the best year of his MLB career. Just in time for the Rockies to make a wild run to the playoffs. Matsui

played in 104 games hitting .288 with 37 RBIs, the most he had in his major league career.

After only hitting four home runs in the regular season, Matsui hit a grand slam against the Phillies in the NLDS.

It was the first of his career. He had a total 3.9 WAR for the Rockies. By far the best total he had for any team he played

for in the States.

Off the momentum he signed with the Astros the next year and played in Houston until 2010. He signed with the Golden

Eagles and played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic for Japan. If he would have played for the Mets the way he did for

the Rockies, Matsui may have never came to Denver in the first place.

Between Japan and the majors, Matsui has over 2,500 hits. He is not only one of Japan’s greatest players ever, but he

is one of the best Colorado Rockies because of his ability to help fuel the Rockies momentum during Rocktober.

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Colorado Rockies: NL West Talk and Blank Stares in Paris By Kevin Henry / Rox Pile | March 21, 2017

If I learned one thing while I was in Paris, it was this … the City of Lights is not a stronghold for the Colorado Rockies.

I’m sure that statement has blindsided you completely, right? I’m sure you believed that there were sports bars throughout

Paris that would stay open all night just to make sure Drew Goodman’s voice was coursing through the aging streets.

However, I can tell you that’s simply not the case. I know … your world has been rocked.

However, I did see plenty of National League West representation in Paris. Unfortunately, it was people wearing Los

Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants hats.

The LA hats were prominent on some of the souvenir sellers walking around the Eiffel Tower. Whether they’ve ever seen

Chavez Ravine in person or even on the television is a question I simply couldn’t ask, both for fear of getting punched and

the fact that my French is horrid at best. However, I think the name of Clayton Kershaw is translatable across the ocean,

correct?

The San Francisco hats were seen on some tourists from the Bay Area going up to the Eiffel Tower at the same time my

wife and I were visiting. I was going to talk baseball with them but they were already engaged in conversation with another

group … about baseball. I just sat back and listened.

“(Mark) Melancon was the missing piece,” one Giants fan said about the closer’s recent signing with San Francisco.

“There’s nobody in the West who can stop us now.”

I bit my lip and just listened as he went on to talk about how they would win, even though this was an odd-numbered year.

Of course, the one time I mentioned to one of our tour guides in Paris that we were from Colorado, his eyes lit up. He

smiled and put his fingers to his lips like he was smoking a joint.

Yep, that’s our state.

“We also have a pretty good baseball team there,” I said.

He blinked at me, trying to understand my words.

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“Nolan Arenado? Colorado Rockies?”

More blinking.

Well, at least he knows we smoke pot … and he didn’t mention anything about the altitude at Coors Field. I guess that’s a

win.

We will see if there are any Rockies fans in Germany. That’s the next stop on our European tour. I know at least there is

pork knuckle and Kolsch ahead. That will help drown my sorrows if I can’t find any fans of the purple pinstripes around the

cathedral in Koln.

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100 Greatest Colorado Rockies: 52 Charlie Hayes By Ben Macaluso / Rox Pile | March 21, 2017

We continue our look at the top 100 Colorado Rockies of all time in this article. Here, we look at No. 52 on our list, Charlie

Hayes.

Charlie Hayes is an unsung hero in the early days of the Colorado Rockies. While he might be better known for “The

Catch” the clinched the 1996 World Series for the New York Yankees, Hayes holds a special place in Colorado

franchise history for being the first third baseman in Rockies history.

Hayes excelled in his first year in Denver after playing for the Giants, Phillies and Yankees. In 1993 he hit .305 with 45

doubles, 98 RBIs and 25 homers. Those numbers are all career highs for Hayes.

His play didn’t dip the next season in 1994 as Hayes hit .288 with 50 RBIs and 10 home runs. Seemingly the only thing

that could stop Hayes run on the Rockies was the 1994-1995 MLB strike.

He became a free agent before the 1995 season and resigned with the Phillies. He did well but not to the standards he set

in Colorado and left to play with the Pirates signing a four-year contract with Pittsburgh. He didn’t make it through one

season their and was traded back to the Yankees. Hayes played for the Giants, Phillies and Yankees all in two separate

stints.

Hayes said he is asked “every day” about his catch in foul territory to clinch the 1996 World Series.

But Hayes 4.0 WAR in Colorado should not be forgotten. While Haye’s departure led to the rise of Vinny Castilla, Hayes

leadership and production made him an integral part of the inaugural Rockies team.

Check out the previous player on this list, number 53 Manny Corpas here.

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Jairo Diaz returns to the mound with mixed results By MHS Staff / Mile High Sports | March 21, 2017 The success or failure of the Colorado Rockies bullpen in 2017 may ride on the success or failure of several pitchers

recovering from Tommy John surgery. One of those pitchers, Jairo Diaz, took a major step forward in his recovery on

Monday, pitching in his first major league game since his surgery. Diaz had several positives in his return, but struggled

as his pitch count climbed.

Diaz started strong in his first action since Spring Training last year, getting Kyle Schwarber to fly out and striking out

Albert Almora Jr. His velocity was consistently above 95 MPH on his two-seam fastball and reached 99 MPH on one

occasion. He ran into trouble, though, with his location as his outing wore on

“We’re going to monitor him,” Rockies manager Bud Black said postgame. “We like the way he’s throwing, as far as his

‘stuff’. You know, the velocity seems to have come back.”

After retiring the first two batters he faced, Diaz allowed the next five to reach base, all of whom would eventually score.

He surrendered a first-pitch home run to Matt Szczur and walked Jeimer Candelario after starting the at-bat 0-2. He did

not finish the inning after throwing 27 pitches and retiring two of the seven hitters he faced.

“You know, we’re going to continue to watch his progress as he bounces back from outings,” Black continued. “We’re

going to critically evaluate his slider and his changeup, but it could be before May [that he is at full strength].

“We have two more weeks of Spring Training. He’ll get a couple more outings – whether they’re with us or on the minor

league side. But just how he’s feeling and how his overall stuff is, it’s pretty good.”

Diaz tore a ligament in his right elbow in early March last year and missed the entire 2016 season. He joins Greg Holland

as hard-throwing right-handers in the Rockies bullpen that missed all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Adam Ottavino also missed roughly the first half of 2016 recovering from the surgery as well.

Diaz is one of Colorado’s power arms, along with Holland and Carlos Estevez, in the bullpen as the Rockies follow the

MLB trend of high-velocity relievers filling roles in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning. Diaz could find himself pitching in

any of those three spots should his recovery continue on time.

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In 26 career games in the majors, Diaz has a 2.55 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 24.2 innings pitched. He carries a lifetime

5.26 ERA over 422.2 innings pitched in the minor leagues. Diaz came to the Rockies following the 2014 season in

exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge.

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Carlos Gonzalez willing to play first base in the future By David Schaut / Mile High Sports | March 21, 2017 Carlos Gonzalez will always be remembered in Colorado Rockies lore as a clutch-hitting, smooth-swinging and

playmaking outfielder. However, that doesn’t mean that he’ll continue as an outfielder for the rest of his career. Gonzalez

spoke with Les Shapiro of Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports Radio during Spring Training to discuss the possibility of

him moving to first base in the future.

“Absolutely. I’m open for it,” Gonzalez said. “I know that playing first base is a lot easier than being in the outfield.”

Gonzalez had very good reasons for considering the position change. While he’s still a remarkable athlete, he’s now 31

years old and knows that his athletic ability is diminishing, and that if he wants longevity in his career, a position change

might be the smartest way to do it.

“At first base you don’t have to worry about running hard, you don’t have to worry about any of that stuff,” he said. “All

you’ve got to do is just be athletic, catch ground balls, and catch the ball, that’s the biggest thing about first base.”

While switching to first is something that Gonzalez will eventually be willing to do, he’s doing everything in his power to

keep himself in the outfield for as long as possible.

“I can still play in the outfield. I prepare myself really well every year to play over 160 games,” he said.

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Having started chemotherapy, Bettis aiming to return this summer By Aniello Piro / Mile High Sports | March 20, 2017 Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis received the unfortunate news a number of days ago that his testicular

cancer had resurfaced, forcing the 27-year-old to put his baseball career on hold. On Monday, he began chemotherapy.

Uncertain of what was in store for Bettis, the Rockies did not place a timetable on a return. Although that still remains the

case, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports that Bettis is striving to make a comeback by the summertime, possibly

around the All-Star game.

From Groke:

Bettis probably will need multiple rounds of chemotherapy. But he is aiming to pitch with the Rockies sometime this

summer, [Rockies manager Bud] Black said, perhaps by the all-star break. A timeline for his return is far from certain.

Doctors need to see how he reacts to the treatment for cancer. It is possible Bettis could miss the season.

Bettis was set to be the anchor of the Rockies young, optimistic starting rotation in 2017. The oldest of the presumed

bunch, Bettis posted a solid record of 14-8 last season with an ERA of 4.79.

Bettis is receiving treatment in Scottsdale, Arizona and will continue to work in the Cactus League, according to Groke.

For now, pitching is off limits, as health is Bettis’s number one concern at this point in time.

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Colorado Rockies Top 25 Under 25: No. 2: Jon Gray By Drew Creasman / BSN Denver | March 22, 2017 Welcome to the BSN Denver Colorado Rockies Top 25 Under 25 where we will rank the organization’s best players who

will be 25 years-old or younger on Opening Day 2017.

Our parameters for this list may be different than others it resembles so let us be clear about them:

1. The list was created entirely by the BSN Rockies staff and had no other input from any outside sources.

2. While giving credit for overall (or trade) value, we prioritized an ability to help the MLB club win immediately.

3. In accordance with this, we also prioritized players with fewer question marks but potentially lower ceilings.

4. Statistics were considered on an equal level with scouting reports in addition to our own field reporting.

Our observations come through a combination of spending parts of each of the past four (going on five) seasons on the

ground on the backfields at spring training and through our regular reporting from Rookie Level Grand Junction, talking to

coaches, scouts, and journalists both on and off the record. Of course, countless hours are spent on MiLB.tv and combing

over public reports from other credible sources.

No. 2: Jon Gray, 22 (RHP)

This is going to be short and sweet. Short because if you are reading this, you are almost certainly familiar Jon Gray’s

story up to this point. And sweet because … well … you are probably familiar with the ridiculous strikeout numbers from a

year ago, including the record-blasting 16 Ks against the San Diego Padres last year.

He’s a national name now due to his production a year ago, and there seems to be as close to you are ever going to get

to a consensus on a Rockies pitcher that Gray is just getting started. He’s added a curveball with a 15 mph difference

from his average fastball that he says he uses to “steal strikes” and occasionally for punchouts.

His slider had the second highest swing-and-miss rate of anyone in MLB behind only Noah Syndergaard. And the location

with the fastball is getting better and better.

If he learns how to keep the early damage down and not let individual games get away from him, he could quite easily get

himself into some Cy Young conversations. His stuff is just that good.

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That’s how he managed to strike out the sixth most batters of any pitcher in Rockies history last season. He also posted

the fifth best single-season WHIP in Rockies history. In his rookie season. He earned the moniker, The Wolf of Blake

Street.

BSN Denver talked to Gray this past week down in Scottsdale and his confidence is at an all-time high. We will have that

report for you soon.

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Carlos Gonzalez is no longer elite, maybe he doesn’t have to be By Jake Shapiro / BSN Denver | March 22, 2017 Carlos Gonzalez was once an anual Triple Crown threat for the Colorado Rockies. His bat, athleticism and range made

him a rare and coveted outfielder across MLB.

CarGo is no longer this player.

He’s still good great. But he is no longer an elite outfielder in MLB, and that’s okay. Posting three straight under 2.5 WAR

seasons, including a very rough first half in 2015, his value is surpassed by several other’s on the Rockies roster.

The club will need not to rely upon the 31-year-old outfielder for 40 home runs or a .336 batting average. What he did last

year for the Rox, 25 dingers, a .298 batting average while driving in 100 runs, should suffice. He was also nominated for a

Gold Glove, which seems unlikely to happen again but his brilliant arm remains very much a weapon that can help the

Rockies in 2017.

But no longer relying on Gonzalez is a good thing for Colorado. The inconstancy both in his health and the massive

hot/cold streaks is something the Rockies can just ride out this year without it derailing the team for a time.

The reason they can let CarGo be CarGo without needing him to be an MVP candidate is because the talent that

surrounds him.

Charlie Blackmon in center, coming off a career year, David Dahl, the highly rated prospect, coupled alongside the up-

and-coming Raimel Tapia and the veteran Gerardo Parra will make for one hell of an outfield.

That’s not even to run down the list of the players Denver possess that can play in the grass, such as a Jordon Patterson

or Ian Desmond.

With the slick hitting slugger in a contract year, Colorado is a great position where they can actually sit Gonzalez, a three-

time All Star, for days and not face too much of backlash all while keeping his legs fresh. In fact, it’s somewhat hard to

envision a world where CarGo will play 150 games this season, like he did in 2016.

CarGo is a great talent, and the potential is still there, but the Rockies now have an opportunity to utilize him in

positions that best allow him to succeed rather than relying upon him to carry the team to the playoffs.

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The Colorado Rockies success depends on this player By Jake Shapiro / BSN Denver | March 21, 2017 Among the multitude of left-handed mashing outfielders the Colorado Rockies possess, there is one player that stands out

among the rest as essential. The Rockies 2017 season will go as Charlie Blackmon goes. The starting centerfielder and

leadoff hitting difference maker for the Denver Nine was a major factor in the Rockies slight resurgence last season. Truly,

it was his presence that was the contrast between a club battling for .500 and one with fingers-crossed for the first pick in

the draft.

In Blackmon’s 135 games started last year the club was 64-71, a win percentage of .474, in the 27 games without him

they were 11-16, a .407 win percentage.

When he vacated his leadoff spot for an odd off day or short stint on the shelf the team was incapable of stringing together

rallies and flipping the lineup. Nobody on Colorado can start a game like Chuck, in fact, he and Dexter Fowler go back-

and-forth for the title of most leadoff dingers since the start of 2014 on a routine basis.

“He’s able to apply pressure in the batter’s box with batting average,” Manager Bud Black told BSN Denver. “With power

that’s dangerous, but also (his speed) on the bases. It’s a feeling that’s uncomfortable for the opponent.”

Blackmon’s base running was the only disappointing aspect of his game in 2016. An early leg injury hamstrung his base

stealing and the team didn’t want to risk aggravating their crucial bat’s health. In 2015 he stole 43 bags, last year just 17.

This number is expected to jump up for the soon-to-be 31-year-old.

“If you have a team on the bases that’s aggressive, that’s very disturbing and that’s what we want,” Black mentioned

about Blackmon and his heists.

Even without the base running Chuck nearly double his WAR last season due to a career offensive year, OPS-ing a slick

.933. And with the depth of the Rockies lineup expanded already this season his 82 RBI out of the one spot seem

achievable once more.

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His play in the outfield has improved greatly as well, no matter what the numbers say. Just watching him his reads have

improved tenfold in the past several years. That’s not to say his replacement isn’t playing just to his right in David Dahl,

like he once did with Fowler, but he’s clearly still the person to man Coors’ spacious center.

Once again, though, it his Blackmon’s table-setting that sets him apart. He had an unreal .966 OPS when leading off an

inning with 29 extra base hits. This was 54% better run reaction than league average among those who led off innings in

2016.

It’s his skill combined with the Rockies not having a clear, experienced backup to be leadoff that makes Blackmon key for

Colorado in 2017.

Let’s talk about Chuck for one more second, he might be the best leadoff hitter in baseball and he is certainly one of the

game’s five best all-around center fielders. His All-Star nod — once mocked — is now backed with the legitimacy of his

play, which makes him a unique, souped up swiss army knife the Rockies will utilize in their run back to the top of the NL

West.

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Jeff Hoffman will sacrifice this if it helps the Rockies ‘win the NL West’ By Drew Creasman / BSN Denver | March 21, 2017 Scottsdale, Ariz. — There is a wide range of beliefs when it comes to giving promising young starting pitchers the

chance to break into the big leagues in the bullpen. It worked out pretty damn well for Adam Wainright and David Price,

less so for Neftali Feliz. And while the Colorado Rockies absolutely acquired Jeff Hoffman from the Toronto Blue Jays in

the blockbuster Troy Tulowitzki trade with every intention that he could one day even stand atop their rotation, right this

moment, he may be better suited for the ‘pen.

Firstly, the Rockies have far more exciting options right now in the rotation than they do for the final few spots in the

bullpen with Antonio Senzatela now racing into the class that includes Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, and Hoffman. So

moving one of those guys, albeit temporarily, into a relief role could solve two problems with one move; helping a spot on

the team that could need it, and making sure a young player with extraordinary talent isn’t stuck in the minors where he

can’t help the MLB team contend.

All three young guys make some sense for this role, but Hoffman’s Tommy John surgery prior to the draft has limited his

development time. This shouldn’t be mistaken for the idea that Hoffman is not yet healthy.

In an exclusive with BSN Denver, when asked if he is 100 percent, he said, “Yeah, absolutely, I’m good. I feel stronger

every year. I feel like I checked that box and I feel like I’m getting better every day. It feels good.”

But the delay to his professional career also resulted in the Rockies wisely being very careful with Hoffman. He eased into

action with pitch limits in 2015 and 2016, pitching under 100 innings his first year and 149.3 innings last season. It’s

unclear whether or not the limits have been completely removed, but either way, the Rockies are being cautious with a

player they think can be a big part of their future. And a move to the bullpen should not be seen as second-guessing his

ultimate value but rather as a natural extension of this thought process.

Keeping the wear and tear on the arm down is good for all kinds of reasons, including his long term health. It would be a

bit much to ask him to step right into the rotation and give the club 200 + innings considering he has never done that

before. Even just in terms of understanding how to beat MLB competition over multiple times through a lineup and then

facing that lineup again a month later, easing him into the process begins to make all the sense in the world.

He was tossed into the fire a year ago to mixed results, perhaps allowing him to dip a toe in the pool first this season

could do him some good.

But it isn’t just for his own protection or a way to continue cautious development against the best players in the world that

might be the reasoning why Hoffman ends up in the ‘pen. There is a positive reason to try this. His 97 mph fastball and big

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breaking curve could play brilliantly in that role. And with Jason Motte, Chad Qualls, and other vets looking like shadows

of themselves while young guys like Miguel Castro and Jairo Diaz appear to not quite be ready, the Rockies could turn to

someone like Scott Oberg or Jordan Lyles, but neither comes with much excitement. Hoffman adds that much more high-

end potential to a bullpen that desperately needed dynamic arms a year ago.

As the Denver Post recently reported, Hoffman’s command has been a bit rusty this spring, and he could use some less

stressful opportunities to develop because the talent is clearly there.

When we asked him, Jeff “Fearless” said this has been his focus this spring, “just commanding everything. It’s always a

work in progress. One day you could be really good and the next something goes. I’m just trying to reign everything in

right now, get everything moving in the right direction, hopefully for the Opening Day. I feel like every time out, I’ve gotten

better. Results might not show that, but I’m happy with the process right now. You want to go out and get yourself better

so that come that first start for the season, you’re in a good spot and you put your team in a position to win.”

And Hoffman recognizes that the spot where he may be able to impact the club the most right now, might not be the one

he is most hoping for.

“I’m open to it. Obviously, I’m competing for the starters spot. I want the starters spot,” he said when we asked about a

potential change in position. “But if the team needs an arm in the bullpen for any specific role, I’m happy to do it. If it

means we’re gonna win a few more games this year and win the NL West? Obviously, I’m gonna do it.”

Win the NL West? So, he isn’t lacking for confidence in himself or his teammates.

It was clear, both from the above quote and from the tenor of our conversation that Jeff Hoffman sees himself as a starter

but is also a team player. It goes beyond that, though. He quickly moved into a space of thinking about all the benefits the

move could have.

“I think it honestly can help you out,” he says. “You’re going out in shorter stints, with smaller work loads. I did it last year

for two outings and I was working on stuff. I feel like it’s easier to work on stuff when you are going out there for a shorter

period of time. You can focus and just get it done for one or two innings and then you start thinking, ‘yeah I can do this for

five or six.'”

Come later in the season, Hoffman’s MLB relief experience could be essential when they try to convert him back to a

starter. Manager Bud Black knows a little something about this, having made such a transition himself, and there may be

no better person to guide Hoffman through it should the Rockies choose to go this direction.

“You know what guys really want to do?” Black asked me in response to a question about any of these guys having to

give up starting temporarily to move into unknown (or at least lesser known) territory.

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“Play in the big leagues?” I responded.

“That’s right.”

A move to the ‘pen could well be Jeff Hoffman’s chance at the Opening Day roster, and it appears as though he has every

intention of making the most of that chance.

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Rockies Notes: Dahl, Bullpen By Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors | March 21, 2017

David Dahl is still around 10 days away from resuming baseball activities after an MRI revealed that his right rib was still

healing, Rockies manager Bud Black told media (including Nick Groke of the Denver Post). Dahl was revealed to have a

stress fracture in his ribcage earlier this month, already leaving him questionable for the start of the season and the latest

news should all but confirm Dahl for the 10-day DL come Opening Day. The 22-year-old was expected to be Colorado’s

starting left fielder this season, though Gerardo Parra is slated to handle the job in Dahl’s absence.

Could the Rockies go from arguably the league’s worst bullpen in 2016 to a potentially dominant pen in 2017?

Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan thinks it could happen, though Colorado will clearly need a lot of bounce-backs and good health

from Adam Ottavino, Greg Holland, and Jake McGee. All three pitchers have high ceilings, however, and with Carlos

Estevez, Mike Dunn and others in the mix, the Rockies could make a big turnaround in their relief corps.