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Look of love: Gray to chop locks for charity By Tracy Ringolsby / MLB.com | @TracyRingolsby | 27 minutes ago Jon Gray was putting in a regular workout between starts last summer, when he and a member of the Coors Field

grounds crew began to chat. The subject turned to the 25-year-old right-hander's lengthy hair, and what Gray did with his

hair when he cut it. Gray was a bit curious about the inquiry.

By the time the conversation was over, Gray had been introduced to Locks of Love, a program designed for people to

donate their hair to be used for hairpieces for children who have suffered significant hair loss because of cancer, severe

burns or other medical issues.

Gray plans to make his next donation next month.

"I had the ability to do this so why not?" he said

Gray, after all, is a rising star on the baseball field, and his effort will bring attention to the efforts of Locks of Love.

A likely choice for Colorado's Opening Day starting assignment, Gray was the Rockies' 2013 first-round Draft pick, a third

selection overall behind Mark Appel, who went to the Astros, and Kris Bryant, who went to the Cubs.

Gray made his big league debut in August 2015 and struggled in nine starts, but he was back with Colorado from Opening

Day 2016 on, and established himself as a factor in the Major Leagues. In 2016, he went 10-10 with a 4.61 ERA in 29

starts, and went 7-2 at Coors Field, where the Rockies won nine of his 14 starts.

MEDIA CLIPS – March 17, 2017

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Gray put an exclamation point on his season in a Sept. 17 home start against San Diego when he struck out 16 and did

not walk a batter during his first career complete game. It was also a shutout, and Colorado won 8-0.

Now, Gray wants to help youth win a personal battle much more challenging than anything that happens on a playing

field. And he's nearing the time for his first donation.

Gray's hair has reached the required 10-inch length, but he said he will wait for about another month to let it grow out a bit

moreso he will have some hair left on his head post-cut. He has always had longer hair, but he said when he learned

about Locks of Love, he decided to grow it even longer.

"There are requirements," Gray said. "It has to be 10 inches from the ponytail, and you have to make sure it is in a

ponytail before you send it off. You put a rubber band around it, then put it into a [sealed plastic] bag and an envelope,

and mail it."

The biggest challenge so far? Having patience as his hair grows.

"I started [growing] this in the spring of 2015," said Gray. "I've always had longer hair, but not this long. It's worth it,

though, if it can help those kids."

Sounds simple. And it is.

But it has a profound impact on the children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. The peer pressure associated with

losing hair can be just as difficult to endure as the medical issue itself. Locks of Love helps to alleviate that.

"Locks of Love is devoted to helping every child suffering from medical hair loss, thus we do not discriminate as to the

cause of hair loss," reads a statement on the organization's website.

The charity is focused on children from financially disadvantaged families.

The website also explains, "Locks of Love is not a manufacturer of any type of hair replacement system or hair care

product. As a charity and strictly a charity, we must purchase the custom prostheses we provide for our recipients."

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It's a new endeavor for Gray. So far, he admits, his charity work consists of, "My wife and I [helping with] rescue animals.

That's about it."

Now there is Locks for Love, something that Gray couldn't resist. He is, after all, going to get a haircut, and if the

trimmings can help a young person better cope with their medical condition, why not?

"We are going to try and do some things to raise awareness with this, and maybe get some people to step up," Gray said.

"I want to do it again."

And Gray has the type of profile that could influence others to make a similar commitment to the charity.

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Desmond could return to lineup mid-April By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies manager Bud Black said Thursday that surgery on first baseman Ian Desmond's broken

left hand went so well that Desmond could be back in the Rockies' lineup by mid-April.

Dr. Donald Sheridan conducted the operation in Scottsdale on Wednesday. Desmond was hit Sunday on the second

metacarpal of the left hand by a pitch from the Reds' Rookie Davis during Sunday's game. The club didn't initially indicate

a timetable, but now Black said it's looking like four to six weeks.

"It went well according to Dr. Sheridan; everything that they saw on film was realized when they went in," Black said. "The

surgery was deemed successful. Mentally, he's doing great. We're thinking that hopefully this is a return to action

sometime in April."

That means Desmond, signed to a five-year, $70 million contract as a free agent during the winter, and power-hitting

rookie catcher Tom Murphy, who has a hairline fracture of the right forearm, could be returning about the same time.

Mark Reynolds, a non-roster invitee expected to play first in Desmond's absence, suffered a similar injury when hit on the

pinky metacarpal by a pitch on Sept. 18. Reynolds couldn't swing a golf club until after Thanksgiving and wasn't cleared to

swing until mid December. However, it was the end of the season and Reynolds was a free agent. Desmond's is a

different bone, and he'll have the modalities and bone stimulators that could help him return faster.

Black said the Rockies will know more when the bone is scanned again, but was delighted with the positive prognosis.

Because the injury was to the catching hand, Desmond will be able to throw and do top-hand hitting drills in the meantime.

Murphy was injured Saturday when clipped by the bat of the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo while throwing to second on a steal

attempt. He stayed in the game and was originally believed to be OK, and participated in Sunday's team archery

tournament. But the medical staff detected the fracture upon further examination.

Worth noting

• The Rockies were hoping for positive news on the right elbow of pitcher Rayan Gonzalez, who underwent an MRI on

Wednesday after leaving the game against the Brewers.

• Outfielder David Dahl, out since early in the Cactus League schedule with a stress reaction in the sixth rib, will be

evaluated Friday -- two weeks after the original diagnosis. If all goes well, Dahl will be allowed to increase activity. So far,

he has been allowed to keep his legs in shape, but not much else.

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Oberg finds success in getting back to basics By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- By simplifying his pitch mix, Rockies right-hander Scott Oberg is pushing into contention for a

bullpen job.

Oberg, 27, whose 2016 season was cut short by blood clots in his right forearm, faced the heart of the Angels' lineup with

a one-run lead in the fifth inning of Thursday's 8-7 loss. On 11 pitches, Oberg had a perfect inning with a strikeout.

While bouncing between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque in 2015 and 2016 (4-5, 5.12 ERA in 88 Major League

games), Oberg used a fastball, slider, curve and changeup.

Oberg escapes a jam

New Rockies manager Bud Black asked him to narrow his mix. On Thursday, he threw fastballs for all but two pitches.

One earned him a swinging strikeout of C.J. Cron to end an eight-pitch at-bat with the count full.

Before that, he worked Mike Trout into a grounder on two fastballs. His first pitch, 95.8 mph fastball, resulted in an Albert

Pujols fly to center.

"We talked about making some slight adjustments to his pitch selection, and I think he's running with that and throwing the

ball with a lot of confidence," Black said.

Oberg, a 2012 15th-round Draft pick from the University of Connecticut, said he recovered from the August surgery in time

for a normal offseason, so his velocity recovered in time to compete in camp. Doctors moved an artery away from the

humeral head of the shoulder in order to avoid the trauma that was causing the blood clot. Oberg's mechanics didn't

change.

He also has snapped back into the consistency of delivery that started to show last year -- when he was 1-0 with a 2.43

ERA and nine saves with Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rockies have a group of veteran relievers, plus there's hard-throwing Carlos Estevez, and Black has thought of

carrying a young starter in the 'pen. But with the specter of injuries -- already lefty Chris Rusin (oblique) and righty Chad

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Qualls (right forearm tightness) are out of Cactus League action -- and simply the merit of his performance, by no means

is he being counted out.

Oberg, who has had three trips to the Majors during each of the past two years and still has a Minor League option this

year, also will look to establish himself as a solid bullpen member.

"You have to give credit because they are Major League hitters, but at the same time I have to take the same approach I

did in Triple-A and apply the same mentality," Oberg said.

Worth noting

• Righty reliever Adam Ottavino gave up a run on a hit and two walks in his second consecutive rocky outing, after

dominant work prior. Also, the Angels' Eric Young Jr. and Nolan Fontana -- speedy guys -- each stole with him on the

mound. Black said Ottavino is aware of the running game and is working on some adjustments heading into the regular

season.

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Garneau homers, collects four RBIs vs. Angels By Thomas Harding and Maria Guardado / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Nolan Fontana and Ryan LaMarre delivered RBI doubles and Carlos Perez delivered a run-

scoring triple in the ninth inning of the Angels' 8-7 victory over the Rockies on Thursday in a Cactus League game at Salt

River Fields at Talking Stick.

The contest featured solid, four-inning work from starters Garrett Richards of the Angels and Tyler Chatwood of the

Rockies.

Angels slugger Albert Pujols, who is coming off December foot surgery, finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and second

baseman Danny Espinosa added a pair of doubles. The Rockies' Dustin Garneau hit a three-run homer and finished

with four RBIs as he intensified his bid to earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Richards gave up the Garneau homer in the second, when he yielded four of the five hits off him in his four innings

pitched. He also fanned two.

"I'm still fine-tuning some things," said Richards, whose fastball sat at 95-97 mph in the 64-pitch outing. "Everything is not

exactly where I want it right now, but it's moving in the right direction and every outing is getting better. I feel good. My

stamina is there. [I'm] still doing what I do in the first inning in the fourth inning, so that's a good sign that I'm building in the

right direction."

Chatwood gave up eight hits -- seven singles, mostly on the ground -- but held the Angels to two runs while striking out

five.

"I think that's their 'A' lineup right there," said Chatwood, who ran his fastball to 95 mph on multiple occasions, and mixed

a cutter, changeup and a few curves. "Anytime you face that, get into some jams and get out of it, it's great for confidence

and just making pitches."

Garneau, looking to join Tony Wolters in a catching tandem while rookie Tom Murphy is out with a right forearm hairline

fracture, took Richards deep for his second spring homer. He added a sacrifice fly.

The Rockies' Rafael Ynoa had a solo homer and Correlle Prime added a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

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Angels catcher Tony Sanchez also drove in a run.

Rockies reliever Scott Oberg, whose 2016 season ended early because of blood clots in his right forearm, threw a

spotless fifth inning with one strikeout. Oberg is looking to earn a spot in middle relief. Garneau later added a sacrifice

fly. Stephen Cardullo had two hits and Jordan Patterson one; they are competing for one spot as a corner outfielder

and first baseman.

Angels up next: Right-hander Alex Meyer, who is fighting for the fifth spot in the Angels' rotation, will make his fourth

spring appearance Friday when the Halos head to Surprise Stadium to face the Rangers at 1:05 p.m. PT. Jesse Chavez,

another rotation contender, is also slated to pitch five innings in a Minor League game Friday.

Rockies up next: Lefty Harrison Musgrave, who pitched at Triple-A Albuquerque last year and is being looked at for

rotation depth, and righty prospect Zach Jemiola are slated to pitch against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday at

7:05 p.m. MT.

Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.

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Injuries to factor heavily into Rockies' roster By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- We did a Rockies Opening Day roster prediction a few weeks ago, with the warning that injuries

do and will happen. Camp has lived up to that guarantee (although the need for pitcher Chad Bettis to undergo

chemotherapy for testicular cancer is not what anyone expects or wants), so it's time to take a fresh look at how manager

Bud Black's first Rockies roster could look April 3 at Milwaukee.

Catcher

Tony Wolters, Dustin Garneau

Wolters had a bout with a hyperextended right elbow early in camp, but is healthy. Garneau, a solid-throwing receiver,

was challenging with a strong offensive spring. Then power-hitting rookie Tom Murphy suffered a hairline fracture of

the right forearm.

First base

Mark Reynolds, Jordan Patterson

Ian Desmond, beginning a five-year, $70 million contract, was hit on the left hand by a pitch and is gone for four to six

weeks. That means Reynolds, a non-roster invitee, steps in. Patterson has been solid this spring, and has experience in

the outfield. Stephen Cardullo also has hit for power and has experience at the position, but is a non-roster invitee who

can be retained. The big question is switch-hitting Cristhian Adames, who has been displaced as the middle-infield

backup. He seems to be developing power, but there may not be room and he is out of Minor League options. If he

doesn't make the final cut, the Rockies could retain him and develop him as a pinch-hitter.

Second base

DJ LeMahieu

He'll follow up on a batting title last year, and will continue his career of solid defense.

Third base

Nolan Arenado

He hasn't hit for average at the World Baseball Classic, but the intensity of games should help him prepare for the

season.

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Shortstop

Trevor Story

He has hit for power again this spring. Last year, a powerful spring led to a history-making start to his rookie year.

Utility

Alexi Amarista

Offense has been a struggle throughout his career and the issues have continued this spring. But in 2014 in regular duty

at shortstop with the Padres, under Black, Amarista earned seven Defensive Runs Saved. Story missed the final two

months last season with a hand injury, and the Rockies didn't have anyone who could provide defense at Amarista's level.

Outfield

Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Gerardo Parra, Chris Denorfia

David Dahl nursed back issues throughout the spring. All that did was give Parra time to hone his improved swing.

Denorfia has provided right-handed hitting, speed and positional versatility this spring. Patterson and Amarista also

can move into the outfield.

Starting rotation

Jon Gray, Tyler Chatwood, Tyler Anderson, Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Freeland -- Senzatela made just seven Double-

A Hartford starts last year, but he is showing Major League stuff and maturity. Freeland didn't receive a call to the

Majors last year, as the Rockies were monitoring his innings load after an injury-filled 2015. He has been solid for three

consecutive outings. Righties Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez are having strong sequences. If there is room in the

bullpen, Black isn't opposed to having one of them work in relief to start the year.

Bullpen

Greg Holland (closer), Adam Ottavino, Mike Dunn, Carlos Estevez, Jake McGee, Jordan Lyles, Jason Motte, Chris

Rusin/Jeff Hoffman

If Holland, who missed last season with Tommy John surgery, continues to progress the way he has this spring, he can

anchor a late bullpen that has potential to be strong. If Rusin can't return from an oblique injury by the opener, it would

give Black the chance to carry Hoffman or Marquez. Righty Chad Qualls is battling right forearm soreness. Estevez has

the heavy fastball, but righty Scott Oberg, with a fastball-slider combination, is presenting a challenge.

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Eddie Butler is both warning flag and missed opportunity for Rockies’ young pitching movement Butler is pitching for the Cubs’ fifth starting spot. Odds are long that he gets it. By Nike Groke / Denver Post | March 16th, 2017

MESA, Ariz. — Eddie Butler always wore an air without worry when he skipped over the first base line on his way to the

mound at Coors Field. When he hurdled the chalk at Sloan Park earlier this week, though, something nagged at the red-

headed right-hander.

Butler, once the Rockies’ top pitching prospect, was set to throw for the Chicago Cubs against his former team for the first

time, to hitters he sat beside on minor-league bus rides last summer. What is the protocol for that kind of awkwardness?

“It was definitely weird,” Butler said. “My biggest thing, OK, I’m playing against them today out of the bullpen. Do I say hi

to the guys? Do I cold-shoulder them? I was very unsure.”

A move from perennial bottom-feeder to World Series champion ripped Butler’s offseason apart. The Rockies in February

traded him to the Cubs for right-handed relief prospect James Farris and a higher international draft slot.

The Rockies are set this season to start a pitching rotation with an average age near 25. Butler will be more experienced

than four of those pitchers and older than three. Colorado’s first-round draft pick in 2012 is both a warning flag for relying

on prospects and a missed opportunity. Colorado is still undecided on two rotation spots less than three weeks from its

season opener.

Butler is pitching for the Cubs’ fifth starting spot. Odds are long that he gets it. But when he walked out of the bullpen

Sunday against the Rockies, nobody was holding their breath with nervousness.

“The guys here aren’t like, ‘Oh here we go,’ ” Butler said. “I don’t know if it was ever like that in Colorado. But it’s still that

new feeling like all these guys have my back right now. They’re all Team Eddie. It’s great to get a new start. And

everybody is pumped.”

The Cubs coveted Butler since his draft year. They just didn’t want to pick him in the first round. Their front office finally

found a chance after he flailed in Colorado. Butler went 3-10 with a 5.90 ERA in 2015, the year he was expected to break

through. Last season, after struggling again in the rotation, he was bounced to the bullpen, then back to Triple-A.

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In three abbreviated seasons, he went 6-16 with a 6.50 ERA. By the end of his Rockies’ career he looked much different

on the mound than his draft-age self. He was more upright and stiff, with a higher release point. And the Rockies moved

him away from throwing his best pitch, a two-seam sinking fastball.

“The Cubs wanted me. They wanted to get me right,” Butler said. “They wanted me to get back to throwing sinkers,

throwing downhill.” In that Cactus League game against the Rockies, Butler faced six batters, inducing five groundouts

and a fly ball out on a changeup.

“He has a fantastic arm,” Chicago manager Joe Maddon told the Chicago Tribune. “He’s definitely in the running down the

road. Or if something were to happen, who knows?”

The Rockies always said the same. Butler was their future. They loved his arm. In the three seasons between 2013-15

when the Rockies twice finished last in the National League West, Butler was one half of their great hope. Jon Gray, who

may be Colorado’s opening-day starter next month, was drafted with the third pick in 2013. Immediately, the Rockies’

turnaround fell to the singular tag-team — “Butler and Gray.”

“Oh I know. There was a lot of that,” said Gray, who led the Rockies in strikeouts last season with 185 in 168 innings. He,

alone, is one of the best young arms in the NL. Butler will have to do on his own elsewhere.

“I’m sure he was on cloud nine. He seems like he’s having a good time,” Gray said. “It was the best thing that could

happen to his career. I don’t think there should be anyone upset about it.”

Instead of trying to lead a young rotation in Colorado, Butler will continue to learn in group that includes established

veteran Jake Arrieta, who was a similarly struggling 27-year-old when he was traded to the Cubs in 2013. He won a Cy

Young award two years later.

“He’s over here now for a reason,” Arrieta said of Butler. “He fits in well. Everything is here to really help him access his

ability on a consistent basis. He’s in a good environment here.”

The Rockies are all-in on a youth pitching movement, with a stockpile led by Gray. It is risky, as they learned with Butler,

throwing green arms under the distant third deck of Coors Field. For the first time in five years, Butler will not be there for

a call-up. “I understand I didn’t throw well there,” Butler said. “There will be a time when they say ‘what if?’ But that’s

baseball. There’s no perfect equation. It’s tough. You just have to keep rolling with what you got.”

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Rockies offer optimistic timeline for Ian Desmond; waiting for Rayan Gonzalez tests Manager Bud Black: “Mentally he’s doing great. We’re thinking that hopefully he will return to action in April.” By Nike Groke / Denver Post | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ian Desmond returned to the Rockies clubhouse Thursday, a day after surgeons repaired a

broken bone in his left hand. Even with his arm wrapped like a club, with a metal plate inserted under the skin, Desmond’s

prognosis made Colorado manager Bud Black a bit cheery.

“Now the healing process begins,” Black said. “Mentally he’s doing great. We’re thinking that hopefully he will return to

action in April.”

An April return, in the first month of the season, is an optimistic timeline and a best-case scenario for the Rockies and

Desmond, who was hit by a pitch Sunday. Colorado catcher Tom Murphy, with a hairline fracture in his right arm, is also

expected back in four to six weeks, the Rockies said. But his injury was not a full break and Murphy does not need

surgery.

Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier broke a metacarpal bone in his left hand last season. After surgery, he missed

seven weeks.

“It was a break. And breaks take four to six weeks,” Black said. He expects Desmond to be in a game sometime in April.

“He’ll need some game activity to get his legs underneath him, to get his timing down,” Black said. “Then it’s pretty much

how the player feels and his readiness.”

Desmond, who is now on pain medication, should be able to throw and train and do some one-handed swing mechanics

exercises, without endangering his left hand.

Gonzalez waiting. Rockies right-handed reliever Rayan Gonzalez underwent an MRI on his injured pitching elbow

Wednesday night and he was waiting for the worrisome results.

Gonzalez, a 26-year-old prospect, left a Cactus League game after a painful pitch in the eighth inning. He pointed to his

forearm and tried to make a fist. Trainers took him immediately to the clubhouse.

“I’m concerned about this one,” Black said, hinting at the possibility of Tommy John surgery. “It was elbow discomfort. He

was feeling some pain.”

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The Rockies in November added Gonzalez to their 40-man roster and he seemed headed for a big-league debut this

season.

Motte struggling. Through four Cactus League innings this spring, veteran reliever Jason Motte gave up six runs on nine

hits. Opponents are hitting .500 against him. The Rockies on Wednesday sent Motte to the backfields for one inning in a

minor-league intrasquad game.

“He came out of it physically fine, got his work in, it was productive,” Black said. “We have a lot of pitchers and we’re

trying to get them work. This was an opportunity to get his work done.”

Motte threw 20 pitches and gave up three hits. His fastball in spring sits in the low- to mid-90-mph range, down from the

mid-90s last season.

“That’s probably where he’ll end up in the season,” Black said. He said Motte is not injured.

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Dustin Garneau blasts another homer, Tyler Chatwood’s changeup sharp, but Angels win Garneau hit his third home run of the spring and drove in four runs By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Early in spring training, Rockies manager Bud Black said Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy would

“share duties” behind the plate. Now, with Murphy out for as long as six weeks with a hairline fracture of his right forearm,

third catcher Dustin Garneau is being counted on.

If Cactus League games are any indication, he’s ready. Garneau hit his third home run of the spring and drove in four runs

Thursday in Colorado’s 8-7 loss to the Angels. Garneau is batting .389 with a 1.534 OPS (on-base percentage, plus

slugging).

Though Wolters will likely get most of the starts, Garneau is going to get plenty of action, at least until Murphy returns.

“Whatever the combination of catchers that we go with … I don’t see a 140-game catcher,” Black said. “These are two

young catchers that are still getting their feet planted, potentially in the big leagues. So I do think we are going to have to

use — whoever our two catchers are — in a way that keeps them fresh and growing. And not throw too much at them too

early.”

For starters: Right-hander Tyler Chatwoodlooked close to regular-season form, even if the box score didn’t show it.

Chatwood kept inducing groundballs even though the Angels knocked out eight hits in four innings (seven singles and a

double). Chatwood coaxed six groundball outs and struck out five. His command was excellent, as evidenced by him

allowing just one walk and throwing 48 strikes in 65 pitches.

“It was weird today,” he said. “I think there were seven groundball singles today. But that’s all right, I was doing what I

wanted to do.”

Chatwood’s best pitch of the day was a 95 mph four-seam fastball he used to strike out Angels slugger Mike Trout with

two men on in the first.

Hits: Right-hander Scott Oberg, looking to earn a spot as a middle reliever, set the Angels down in order in the fifth…

Infielder Rafael Ynoa, likely to begin the season at Triple-A, hit his first homer of spring.. First base prospect Correlle

Prime blasted a two-run homer in the ninth.

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Misses: Relief prospect C.C. Lee got hammered in the Angels’ four-run ninth, giving up two doubles and a triple … As

good as Garneau was at the plate Thursday, he had a terrible throw in the seventh. Pinch runner Eric Young Jr. stole

second with ease while Garneau’s weak throw triple-hopped into center field, allowing Young to take third and eventually

score. … Right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino (5.06 ERA) had tough outing for the second consecutive game. Though he

gave up just one run in two-thirds of an inning, his control was off. He walked two and uncorked a wild pitch, and the

Angels swiped two bases off him.

“He was a little bit out of sorts today,” Black said. “His velocity is there, the sharpness to his breaking pitches is there, it’s

just his command he has to tighten up.”

Up next: Rockies at San Francisco Giants, 7:05 p.m. (MDT), Friday, at Scottsdale Stadium

Rockies probables: LHP Harrison Musgrave, RHP Zach Jemiola, RHP Jordan Lyles, RHP Carlos Estévez, LHP Jerry

Vasto

Giants probables: RHP Matt Cain, RHP Tyler Beede

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Breaking down Rockies’ Raimel Tapia’s unusual two-strike batting stance Rockies outfield prospect frustrates opposing pitchers with his deep crouch By Zach Avila / Cronkite News | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia starts an at-bat with a stance typical of most hitters.

The left-handed batter approaches the plate and awaits the pitch with a slight bend in both knees. As the ball nears, he

brings his right leg forward and straightens it so it extends just beyond home plate as he initiates his swing.

At least that’s his approach until he has two strikes against him. Then it all changes.

“When I get low, I feel comfortable,” he said. “I am in there and ready to hit. It is something that I do. ”

And, boy, does he get low.

While not as exaggerated as it was when Tapia began playing in the minor leagues as a 17-year-old in 2011, his two-

strike stance still includes a significant squat with his feet just outside his shoulders, his knees deeply bent and his torso

low over the plate.

He said he wants his batting helmet almost as low as the catcher’s helmet.

Tapia came up with the adjusted stance himself, finding confidence from the low crouch when in a two-strike count.

He didn’t get much guidance on his stance while growing up in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. As he played,

however, he discovered that the lower he crouched, the more productive he was at the plate.

“I found that it worked well for me,” he said. “When I was little, no one really helped me with my approach to batting in the

way that I do, lowering with two strikes.”

Tapia has a batting average of .317 in the minors and .263 in 38 plate appearances since his MLB debut with the Rockies

in September 2016. His ability to make contact with the ball has shown Rockies manager Bud Black that his stance works.

However, Black still finds joy in poking fun at the unusual sight.

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“It’s crabbish, but not too extreme,” he said. “As a young player with bat-to-ball skills, speed, work ethic, and energy, those

are good traits.”

According to Tapia, his low stance has brought frustration for opposing pitchers, as the strike zone shrinks dramatically

compared to Tapia’s usual stance that exposes his lanky 6-foot-2 frame.

You might say they don’t know squat.

The unusual adjustment has even frustrated some of the Rockies staff during live batting practice. While right-hander Jon

Gray has yet to face Tapia, he noted that it is a unique stance.

“It is pretty cool to see,” Gray said. “I think he does it for himself, and it helps him focus more on the balls in the zone and

not chasing things low.”

Gray anticipates the time will come where he will have to face Tapia during camp, but the Rockies ace already has a

game plan in mind to test Tapia.

“I would try to elevate or go off-speed on the plate and see his reaction to both,” Gray said. “I would just see which one he

goes after.”

Unusual stance aside, the 23-year-old Tapia will keep trying to improve.

“Every pitch that comes to me can be an out,” he said. “I have to keep getting better at seeing the ball and being able to

hit different pitches.”

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Stu Cole strives to improve Rockies infielders’ performance Cole: “My job is to make these guys feel comfortable and to do the best they can” By Zach Avila / Cronkite News | March 16th, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies shortstop Trevor Story takes pride in having Stu Cole as his infield instructor and third-

base coach.

“Stu is the man,” he said. “He has a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge. He has seen the game played at a high

level, and I think that really helps him and it helps me, too.”

The relationship Story and Cole share has strengthened since Story’s first appearance at the team’s major-league camp

in 2014. Cole understands Story’s style of play.

At 6-foot-1, Story challenges himself to play as low as possible in an athletic stance, anticipating line drives or well-hit

grounders. If Cole notices a loss in rhythm or technique in Story’s style of play, he offers advice for adjustments.

And Cole often delivers the advice with a touch of humor.

“We go back and forth talking a little trash,” Story said. “He keeps it light. A lot of guys are close with him. He is a great

clubhouse guy.”

Cole’s experience in a clubhouse goes well beyond his now five seasons on the Rockies’ major-league staff.

He first entered the Rockies organization as a player in 1993 for the then Triple-A affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox. After

his playing career, Cole spent six years as a minor-league coach before becoming the manager of Short-Season-A Tri-

City in 2001. By 2009, Cole, had moved his way up to manager of Triple-A Colorado Springs before joining the major-

league staff in 2012.

He takes pride in his tenure as he enters his 22nd season as a coach with the Rockies organization.

“I almost spend more time with the organization than I do my own family,” Cole said. “We all come together as a group

and try to make each other better every day. My job is to make these guys feel comfortable and to do the best they can.”

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Cole’s work ethic and dedication to his players is a common characteristic cited by players.

His work has paid off.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado has won four consecutive National League Gold Gloves. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu

won the award in 2014.

“It’s nothing new for him, that’s for sure,” LeMahieu said. “He wants to help and make guys better and he is going to do

what’s right. Everyone likes him in the organization. Players love him. He is just a good guy to be around.”

The confidence from players in Cole’s coaching ability extends to new Rockies manager Bud Black.

Before the start of spring training, Black sat down with Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich to discuss the coaches

returning to the staff. Bridich praised Cole for his ability as a teacher and instructor for players.

Now five weeks into spring training, Black is impressed with what he has seen from Cole.

“He is a very good coach,” Black said. “All of the things going into being an infielder Stu covers very well and is very

thorough in drills, exercises and repetition. I am a Stu Cole fan.”

With support from Black, Cole and the Rockies hope to improve defensively after struggling in the field last season. Even

with the injury to first baseman Ian Desmond, Cole remains optimistic about the talent the organization has.

“I see bright things ahead,” Cole said. “I love this organization and with the guys we have in the big leagues and the

minors coming up, I see a bright future for us. I would love to be a part of that.”

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FanPost Friday: Biggest worry about the Rockies right now As spring training games get underway, what has you nervous about the Rockies? By Adam Peterson / Purple Row | @playerTBNL | Mar 17, 2017, 8:00am MDT

Spring training games have been going for about few weeks now as teams in the Cactus League and Grapefruit League

prepare for the 2017 season. And while the Rockies have so far been mercilessly devoured by the injury bug, there are

other questions the team is hoping to answer during spring training, from who will complete the rotation to how the bench

will be filled out.

This brings us to out prompt this week:

What is your biggest worry/fear about the Rockies right now?

As fans, we prefer to think good thoughts about our teams. But we are always plagued by that nagging sense of doubt in

the back of our minds, no matter how good our team is. In the case of the Rockies, there are even national pundits who

think they are on the brink of contention, but what if guys take steps back or Bud Black isn’t the right manager for the job?

The farm has been strong but what if that one player busts? Dick Monfort has promised to open up the purse strings but

will that TV deal really give the team the cash they need to compete?

Let’s be therapeutic about this and talk it out. Write up a FanPost detailing what has you most

worried/nervous/apprehensive/fearful about the Colorado Rockies—whether that’s for the 2017 season or beyond—and

we can help one another decide how legitimate it is. This can be about a specific player’s performance or contract,

someone in the farm system, front office leadership, or whatever else keeps you up at night about the Rockies.

Don’t forget to include “FPF” in the title. As usual, we’ll round everything into a group therapy session/weekly roundup

post next Friday.

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Rockies’ Nolan Arenado among favorites to win National League MVP Bovada also listed odds for three other Rockies players By Adam Peterson / Purple Row | @playerTBNL | Mar 17, 2017, 8:00am MDT

Hello sports fans. I’m sure you are all having a wonderful day paying attention to another major American sporting event,

but can I interject a little bit of news into your day that is baseball related? I promise, if you’ve caught some sort of (legal)

gambling bug on filling out brackets, this will pique your interest.

We’ve been tracking the Bovada odds as they relate to the 2017 MLB season for much of the offseason now and how

they pertain to the Rockies’ World Series odds as well as their projected win total. This has led to a certain level of

optimism among Rockies fans, and with good reason. But now we switch our focus to the individual side of the game.

Below you’ll see that Bovada has provided odds on no fewer than four Rockies’ players chances to win the National

League Most Valuable Player award. You’ll also see Nolan Arenado, at 7/1 odds to win, finds himself near the top of the

pack.

Bovada National League MVP Odds

Player Odds Kris Bryant 11/4 Bryce Harper 3/1 Nolan Arenado 7/1 Anthony Rizzo 9/1 Cory Seager 12/1 Freddie Freeman 14/1 Daniel Murphy 22/1 Paul Goldschmidt 25/1 Yoenis Cespedes 33/1 Clayton Kershaw 33/1 Andrew McCutchen 33/1 Buster Posey 33/1 Max Scherzer 33/1 Kyle Schwarber 33/1 Giancarlo Stanton 33/1 Joey Votto 33/1 Matt Carpenter 50/1 Adrian Gonzalez 50/1 Trea Turner 50/1 Starling Marte 55/1

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Player Odds Carlos Gonzalez 66/1 Charlie Blackmon 100/1 Ryan Braun 100/1 Adam Eaton 100/1 Maikel Franco 100/1 Matt Kemp 100/1 DJ LeMahieu 100/1 AJ Pollock 100/1 Addison Russell 100/1 Jonathan Villar 100/1 Christian Yelich 100/1

Carlos Gonzalez is listed at 66/1 odds, while Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu both receive 100/1 odds. Nolan

finished fifth in the 2016 NL MVP voting, while DJ LeMahieu finished 15th, and Charlie Blackmon finished 26th.

Once again, the caveat applies: this does not necessarily indicate a prediction or a projection (in the commonly used

sense of the term) for the Major League Baseball season. These odds are indicative of where oddsmakers see their

customers placing bets. Clearly they only publically release odds on a player if there have been enough people willing to

place bets on said players.

Even with those caveats applied, this is still very interesting. Nolan is quickly moving into the upper echelon of great

players and is now being recognized for it. Meanwhile, Cargo, DJ, and Charlie all are enough on the national radar that

people are willing to drop down some currency on the outside chance that one of them has (another) career year.

Odds for the Cy Young Awards were also listed, but, alas, no Rockie—not even Jon Gray—even warranted a mention in

the eyes of the oddsmakers.

But, as we well know, MVP doesn’t always go to the best player, just the best player among contending teams. The

presence of four Rockies on this list seems to confirm the narrative that, at least in the eyes of Joe Gambler and Bovada,

the Rockies are ready to start contending.

So, are you taking any of these bets? Which of these four would you be willing to put your money on? non-Rockies player

would you most be willing to put your money on?

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Tom Murphy’s injury expected to keep him out for several weeks He’s in line to return around the same time as Ian Desmond. By Jake Welch / Purple Row | Mar 17, 2017, 8:00am MDT

Update: 3/6, 11:06 a.m. MT

Tom Murphy is expected back from his fracture forearm in mid April, per a report from Thomas Harding of

Rockies.com. This is right in line with the expected 4-6 weeks recovery time that was originally expected

★ ★ ★

Rockies catcher Tom Murphy will miss 4-6 weeks with a forearm fracture, according to Denver Post beat writer Nick

Groke. Murphy joins the list of unfortunate injuries the Rockies have suffered through during spring training.

According Groke, Murphy suffered the injury on Saturday during the Rockies’ loss to the Cubs. While making a throw

down to second base, Anthony Rizzo’s bat connected with Murphy’s right forearm. The injury wasn’t apparent at the time,

as he finished the rest of the game.

Murphy was expected to split the catching duties with Tony Wolters, who has been dealing with a slight elbow hyper-

extension this spring. With Murphy starting the season on the DL, Dustin Garneau will be the most likely candidate to fill

the role of backup catcher.

The injury news comes on the heels of Ian Desmond’s broken hand that will sideline him for about six weeks, the fact

that David Dahl will likely miss the beginning of the season, and the news that Chad Bettis will undergo chemotherapy,

which could keep him out for the entire season.

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Colorado Rockies: 3 Things You Should Know on March 17 By James Keating / Rox Pile | March 17, 2017

In the midst of March Madness, we are reminded that mental toughness is huge in sports. It’s no different in baseball, and

March has hit the Rockies hard with injuries. The Rockies will be forced to grind out the season’s opening month.

Reinforcement numbers were already low, but after Wednesday’s action, the reserve situation got even worse. Promising

reliever Rayan Gonzalez left a Spring Training game with a forearm issue. You read more about the injury in

yesterday’s post. What the blow to pitching depth means is that ineffectiveness is not something the Rockies can work

through if they plan to be competitive in the season’s opening months. In an effort to make sure he is ready to carry a

share of the load, Tyler Chatwood led the Rockies in Thursday’s action.

In total, Chatwood surrendered eight hits, but when faced with traffic he got the tough outs. Not typically his calling card,

Chatwood relied on the strikeout to work around jams. He collected a total of five strikeouts in four innings of work.

Garneau Appears Good to Go.

Coming on the heels of a 2 for 3 performance on Tuesday, Dustin Garneau had yet another stellar showing on Thursday.

Garneau did his best March Madness impression and dropped a long three on Angles ace Garret Richards. The three-run

homer comes at a welcome time. Through April, Garneau will need to back up Tony Wolters as back-up catcher Tom

Murphy broke his forearm earlier this week.

Wolters is carrying a .500 average this Spring, and Garneau is hover just above .400. The numbers indicate, that while

not ideal, there is no reason to panic over the loss of Murphy.

State of the Bullpen

The most positive news from this week is that Greg Holland is back. But how are the relievers around him looking?

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100 Greatest Colorado Rockies: 53 Manny Corpas By Ben Macaluso / Rox Pile | March 17, 2017

We continue our look at the top 100 Colorado Rockies of all time in this article. Here, we look at No. 53 on our list, Manny

Corpas.

Manny Corpas is higher on this list because of the magical 2007 season. His 4.6 WAR with the Rockies doesn’t hurt

either. Everything seemed like it was going to spring board off his dominate performance mostly in the 2007 NLDS and

NLCS. It didn’t quite work out that way but Corpas was an integral part of the Rockies’ bullpens that made the most recent

playoff runs.

In 2007, Brian Fuentes was the Rockies closer but Corpas took over as Fuentes struggled and didn’t look back the rest of

the season. He went 4-2 pitching a massive 78 innings with a 2.08 ERA. He deserved to be the Rockies closer into the

2007 postseason and he took every advantage. In the NLDS he pitched all three games pitching 3.1 innings only giving

up two hits. In the NLCS he pitched all four games pitching 5.1 innings giving up only one run. Unfortunately Corpas didn’t

get to pitch much in the World Series as the Rockies never led in the ninth but he did pitch two games in 1.2 innings only

giving up one hit. The Rockies seemed to find their new closer of the future.

Corpas kept that role into the 2008 season but never found the same magic. He was replaced by Fuentes at the end of

April that season after blowing four save opportunities in eight chances. At that time he was 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA. The

closers role might not have ultimately been for Corpas. He showed resiliency the rest of the season ending with a 3-4

record with a 4.52 in 79.2 innings.

Corpas competed with Huston Street as the Rockies new closer in 2009 but Street won the job out of spring training.

Street lost the job just three weeks into April and Corpas took over the role. But Corpas didn’t far much better and Street

had the job back in May. Both the 2009 and 2010 season, Corpas struggled and was released.

He signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in 2011 but he missed the entire season after receiving Tommy

John surgery. He played with the Cubs in 2012 but struggled there with a 5.01 ERA in 46.2 innings.

Corpas got another chance with the Rockies in 2013 going 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA in 41.2 innings. He was let go by the team

after the season. He resigned to a minor league deal in 2014 but never pitched for the major league club. He played for

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the York Revolution in the independent Atlantic League. Here is a Spanish language article detailing signing with a

Venezuelan baseball league this year.

Manny Corpas was one of the best postseason pitchers the Rockies ever had. He performed admirably outside of that

closer role as well. Regardless of when he pitched, he will forever be a formidable player associated with the term

“Rocktober.”

Check out the previous story in this list, 54 Roger Bailey here.

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Post-Op Information on Ian Desmond’s Injury By Tim Engquist / Rox Pile | March 17, 2017

The Rockies suffered a huge blow last Saturday when key offseason addition, Ian Desmond, was hit by a pitch on his left

hand by Reds’ pitcher Rookie Davis. Later news broke that he had suffered a fracture of his second metacarpal bone and

would require surgery.

More information became available Thursday about the surgery performed Dr. Donald Sheridan on Wednesday, and it

was mostly good.

According to a report from Thomas Harding of MLB.com the surgery went well and Desmond could potentially return to

the lineup as soon as mid-April. The expected recovery time is somewhere between 4-6 weeks. This is a lucky break for

the Rockies’ who could have been without their new first baseman for much longer. Mark Reynolds suffered a similar

fracture that ended his season in 2016.

The fracture occurred in Desmond’s second metacarpal bone, which is one of the many bones comprising the palm of the

hand. It is essentially the base of the index finger. Reynolds’ injury was the 5th metacarpal on the pinky side of his hand

and was required to withstand more force being on the side of his hand.

Along with providing the 4-6 week time frame, Rockies manager Bud Black said that since Desmond’s injury is on his left

hand, he will still be able to participate in throwing drills and top-hand batting activity. It is obviously a blow to Desmond’s

efforts to transition to first base but will hopefully not keep him out for very long.

The Rockies’ will likely turn to last year’s first baseman, Mark Reynolds, to fill the void left by Desmond’s injury for the first

couple weeks of the season. Although, not a part of the 40-man roster, it seems inevitable after this injury that Reynolds

will be on the 25 man roster on opening day.

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Holland makes encouraging return to game action By Sarah Ford / BSN Denver | March 17, 2017

Greg Holland didn’t need many pitches to make a statement in his first appearance in a big league game yesterday, 18

months after his last professional inning.

In just 10 pitches, Holland retired the side to preserve a Rockies 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. In those pitches

he recorded a strikeout, pounding the zone with both his fastball and offspeed pitches and allowing hard contact only on a

pitch lined to center for an out.

“I felt like the ball was coming out of my hand good. And hitters will let you know, usually. I felt like my timing and rhythm

were good,” Holland said.

Though he keeps his outward demeanor understated, this was an important benchmark for the 31-year-old right-hander

as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery. Likely to be named the Rockies’ closer, it was a promising showing

of results the team hopes Holland can carry into the regular season.

“Just pound the zone, get ahead,” Holland said of his approach. “I felt like I commanded the ball pretty well.”

Most notably, Holland exhibited a fastball sitting at 93 miles and hour and reaching up to 95, demonstrating that he is

regaining the velocity that helped him to dominate as closer with the Royals. Just back in November, before signing with

the Rockies, Holland threw fastballs in the 80’s in a workout for team scouts that led to resistance from some teams to

sign him, fearing his pre-surgery velocity wouldn’t return.

There are those who believe his velocity is key to his success, so this should be good news for them.

But it wasn’t pitch speed that excited Holland about his first appearance on the mound this spring. Rather, it was his

comfort in locating both his fastball and off-speed pitches. Holland told catcher Jan Vazquez he wanted to throw a mix

of his fastball, curve and slider.

“I told him I want to kind of mix it up, get a few of everything in, and I feel good I was able to do that,” said Holland.

Like Holland, though encouraged by the outing, the team is keeping an eye on the larger process rather than the details.

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“Whether it’s off the field competition or in Arizona playing baseball you get pumped up. I know Greg’s excited about this,”

said manager Bud Black. “He’s crossing bridges here in Arizona, and he’s feeling good physically. I think mentally he’s in

a good spot. So, again, this is another step of him getting back to being a big-leaguer on a roster.”

Black said Holland could make another appearance as soon as Saturday.

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The Colorado Rockies injuries could be a blessing in disguise By Drew Creasman / BSN Denver | March 16, 2017

A few days ago, the sky was falling down on the 2017 Colorado Rockies. One-by-one the team lost David Dahl, Chris

Rusin, Chad Bettis, Ian Desmond, and Tom Murphy within a two-week span, all players expected to give heavy

contributions in the upcoming season; a season in which the Rockies felt primed to contend.

And while they still were moving forward with a roster that was improved upon from the year prior, this is not the start any

team wants in a season where they are trying to topple the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.

But a few days have passed, MRI’s and X-Ray’s and surgery (for Desmond) and reevaluations are now out of the way,

and it appears possible that the Rockies could be back to full strength by the end of the very first month of the season.

As we reported this morning, Bud Black told the media before the game that he expects Desmond could be back by the

end of April. Not just for going through drills, but for actual full game participation. He noted that Murphy should return in

the same time frame and reiterated that both Rusin and Dahl could — and likely will — be back in the first week.

Of course, the Bettis news still stings for a myriad of reasons far beyond the realm of baseball, but all told, the Colorado

Rockies look like they may be able to weather this storm, especially if it can rage and pass in the first month of 2017.

Interestingly enough, the injuries have provided some extra opportunities and everywhere you look, there are players

taking advantage of them. No Desmond for a bit? Jordan Patterson and Stephen Cardullo are having phenomenal spring

training campaigns. No Dahl? Gerardo Parra is in full rebound mode and Raimel Tapia remains as exciting as ever. Need

a backup catcher with Murphy out? Dustin Garneau is hitting .375/.500/.938. That isn’t a typo, he is really slugging .938

and has a pair of doubles and a three-run home run since learning of the Murphy injury.

And Cristhian Adames, who can back up pretty much everywhere, might be having the best spring of them all.

All qualifiers of small sample size, spring training, and the like apply, but there is no negative way to look at the way these

players have responded when called upon. It should almost certainly build on their confidence moving forward and allows

the club to gain confidence in them as well.

Injuries are never good, but the silver lining here is that a lot of guys who needed to get an opportunity and to show they

can hang are doing both. The biggest downside to all of this remains Desmond not being able to use these exhibition

games to gain a comfortability level at first base.

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But now, once you add in the extra reps these guys are getting to prove themselves to the relatively quick timetables for

return for the starters, you’ve got yourself a small window where the Rockies need to “tread water” while employing a

group of hungry (mostly young) players working their asses off to prove themselves. April may not be as ugly a month for

this club as it first seemed it would be.

If you’re going to miss 4-6 weeks, ideally a few of those weeks will take place while the club is still playing games that

don’t count in the standings. And that is right where the Colorado Rockies find themselves. Moving forward, they still have

a dramatically improved roster from a year ago, and all kinds of reinforcements appear to be arriving before the beginning

of May.

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Stephen Cardullo understands his role, and it could be an important one in 2017 By Drew Creasman / BSN Denver | March 16, 2017

Scottsdale, Ariz — A year ago, Stephen Cardullo was a seemingly afterthought spring training signing by Jeff Bridich out

of the Independent Leagues. He looked like roster filler at the time, but slotted right into Triple-A and immediately went to

work proving he could hit, and hit with power, hitting .308 with 17 home runs and earning a late-season call-up to MLB.

He didn’t get a ton of looks thereafter but still managed a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, of which he now has

two this spring. The four-run salami has become an odd kind of calling card for Cardullo. “It is a great feeling to be put in

that situation to drive runners in. I give credit to my teammates for that,” he told BSN Denver. “We got men on base, drove

in a lot of runs, but unfortunately did not get the win. But yeah man, love hitting … I mean we put up eight runs. We are

swinging the bat well.”

So much has been made of the Rockies signing Ian Desmond to play first base but even after that signing and the return

of Mark Reynolds to the roster, there have still been calls for the Rockies to add help at that position. The presence

of Jordan Patterson would make this nearly insane if not for the fact that he bats left-handed and the Rockies are

overloaded with lefties and struggled with right-handed power especially after losing Trevor Story and Mark Reynolds for a

time due to injury. Enter: Stephen Cardullo.

Cardullo is hitting .296/.382/.593 with a pair of grand slams and is pacing the team with 11 RBI this spring. All the

qualifiers of spring training apply, but Cardullo has been proving people wrong for almost a whole year now.

Yeah, a 29-year-old who has barely exhausted rookie eligibility may not be most people’s ideal insurance plan, but guys

who can step in and perform when asked, even when not given consistent playing time, have a special value in and of

themselves. Perhaps most importantly, Cardullo understands his role and seeks to excel inside of it. When asked about

playing in the outfield occasionally or that he might need to give the team some run early with Desmon on the shelf, he

says: “Absolutely. That is my situation as being a role player especially in the National League. You have to play multiple

positions for the double switch. Anywhere I can be versatile to help a team win and get in the lineup, I’d be happy to do it.”

If he can continue to put up that kind of right-handed power, you better believe the Rockies will be happy to have him do

it t0o.

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The player each MLB team should want up with the game on the line By Bradford Doolittle / ESPN.com | March 16, 2017

This time of year, the web is flooded with highlight compilations of the greatest buzzer-beaters in March Madness history.

It's a great time on the calendar for basketball, but is there any relation to baseball, a sport with no clock dictating the end

of a game?

Baseball does have its own version of the buzzer-beater. In fact, in the last game that counted, we had the table set for a

similar kind of walk-off moment, one that would have put any Christian Laettner turnaround shot to shame. That was

Game 7 of the World Series, with the Indians down a run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th. Rajai Davis was on first,

and up to the plate, with a chance to steal a championship, stepped ... Michael Martinez.

This was not ideal. Martinez was a 34-year-old journeyman utility player with a .197 career average and a professional

record that reads like the directory of an atlas. But Terry Francona's bench was empty, and that left Martinez to make his

mark on history by hitting a slow bouncer to the Cubs' Kris Bryant for the final out.

Given the option, Francona would certainly have picked a different hitter for that Series-deciding spot. His hypothetical

decision would be either straightforward or incredibly complicated, depending on how you frame the issue.

The easy answer is that you simply want your best hitter up. But by factoring in clutch performance, we might detect

differences in performance that complicate what seems like an obvious decision. Let's go through this on a team-by-team

basis.

Colorado Rockies: Nolan Arenado

Arenado is simply good at everything.

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Desmond Could Return In Four To Six Weeks By Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors | March 16, 2017

Rockies manager Bud Black said today that a best-case scenario for injured first baseman Ian Desmond and injured

catcher Tom Murphy would be for each to return in mid-April (via Thomas Harding of MLB.com). While initial reports

suggested that Desmond could be out six weeks, Dr. Donald Sheridan, who performed the surgery on Desmond’s

fractured finger, said the operation went so well that the team is now projecting a recovery of four to six weeks. Mark

Reynolds, in camp on a minor league deal, figures to make the team and handle first base early in the year in lieu of

Desmond.

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Greg Holland Shows Well In Competitive Return

By Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors | March 16, 2017

Turning to an interesting pen situation, the Rockies liked what they saw out of righty Greg Holland yesterday, as Nick

Groke of the Denver Post reports. The one-time ace reliever, who’s working back from Tommy John surgery, returned to

competitive mound action for the first time with a 95 mph heater and effective breaking offerings. While the three-up,

three-down frame came against minor-league opposition, the outing represented an important step for Holland as he

seeks to reestablish his health and once-dominating stuff. That leaves him on track to make six or eight Cactus League

outings, Groke writes, though he won’t take the hill again until the weekend. While the team’s plans for the ninth inning

remain unresolved at this point, Groke suggests that it’s likely Holland will receive the closer’s nod over Adam Ottavino.