CHATWOOD, McGEE TUNE UP FOR CACTUS LEAGUE ACTION
scottsdale, ariz.» The Rockies on Friday put in motion their spring pitching rotation, sending two veteran arms through simulated games a day before the team’s Cactus League schedule begins.
Tyler Chatwood, a 27-year-old righthander, threw two gamelike innings against Colorado hitters on a back diamond at Salt River Fields, getting through about 30 pitches.
Rockies manager Bud Black will stick to a pitching progression to build up his starters after a step-up schedule of two innings or 30 pitches, followed by three innings or 45 pitches, then four innings or 60 pitches, and so on.
Lefty Tyler Anderson will start the Cactus League opener Saturday at Salt River Fields against the Diamondbacks.
Jake McGee, a 30-year-old lefty reliever, rotated with Chatwood by pitching one inning Friday. He struck out two batters, allowed what would have been a broken-bat single, then got a groundout.
“I’m really happy where I’m at right now, with velocity and the life on my fastball,” McGee said. “And my slider, all spring, has gotten a lot of good feedback. It has a lot more depth on it than last year and the spin is good.”
McGee’s fastball reached 93 mph, and he said he’s about 85 percent ready for the season. A left-knee injury that bothered him last season was not an issue Friday, he said. “I haven’t thought about it once.”
Chatwood, who reached 94 mph on his fastball, yelled in disgust after Mark Reynolds hit a pitch over the outfield wall. But Chatwood later struck out Reynolds with a slider and got Tony Wolters to ground out.
Diaz update. Jairo Diaz, 25, entered spring training last year with the promise of a 100 mph fastball. But an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery ended his season before it started. Friday, he threw batting practice against live hitting for the first time since the surgery.
“I know I missed a couple pitches, but it felt really good,” Diaz said. He began throwing bullpen sessions in the Dominican Republic over the winter and will now ramp up for, the Rockies hope, a May return.
“It’s coming along, I know,” Diaz said. “Every bullpen (session), I feel better.” New ballpark problems. The FBI is investigating the long-delayed and overbudget construction of a ballpark in Hartford, Conn. — the home city of Rockies’ Double-A affiliate, the Yard Goats. The Hartford Courant reported, citing multiple sources, that the FBI is looking into why public-funded Dunkin’ Donuts Park ballooned $15 million over budget and months overdue.
The Yard Goats never played a home game last season while their ballpark was under construction.
“It was interesting. Really crazy,” Rockies prospect Ryan McMahon said of playing a season full of road trips. Must-see TV. Root Sports will televise six of the Rockies’ Cactus League games — starting March 20, when they play the Chicago Cubs. Root also will televise games March 22, 24, 25, 31 and April 1. Prospect rankings. Baseball America ranks the Rockies 10th in the big leagues in the magazine’s annual look at the depth of minor-league talent. Last year, Baseball America ranked the Rockies sixth. The Braves are ranked No. 1 this year. The Dodgers, No. 1 last year, are No. 4 this year. Nick Groke, The Denver Post