MOTTE ON ROAD BACK TO HEALTH, JOB IN BULLPEN

phoenix» Relief is in sight for Colorado’s beleaguered bullpen.

Right-hander Jason Motte, who has yet to throw a regular-season pitch for his new team, threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday.

“He threw the ball very well, with a lot of life,” trainer Keith Dugger said. “We’ll continue to build up his arm strength and then map out a rehab plan.”

There is no date targeted for Motte’s Rockies debut or any minor-league rehab starts.

Motte, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract as a free agent, was supposed to be a late-inning reliever and perhaps even the closer before he was shut down during spring training because of a sore shoulder.

“We made sure the pain was gone before I started throwing, so now it’s a matter of building up my arm strength,” said Motte, who has been training at the Rockies’ spring training complex in nearby Scottsdale.

Motte will accompany the Rockies for the rest of their 10-game road trip.

Blackmon is back. As expected, center fielder Charlie Blackmon returned from the 15-day disabled list and hit leadoff in Friday night’s game. He said he was pain free from the turf toe injury that sidelined him. And he was relieved that the injury didn’t become a chronic problem, as it did early in the 2012 season.

“I had it years ago, so this time I did a really good job of managing it and taking care of it,” he said. “So, having it go away quickly and getting to the point where I don’t think about it and don’t worry about it, is a relief.”

To make room on their 25-man roster, the Rockies optioned reserve outfielder Brandon Barnes to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Though he brings energy and defense to the team, Barnes batted just .194 with a .242 on-base percentage in 17 games (36 plate appearances).

“He’s done everything we have asked him to,” manager Walt Weiss said. “The statistics for him are deceiving, as they usually are for guys that aren’t everyday players. But he’s been a valuable piece for us.”