Healthy Bryant scores from first on a double
Veen launches solo HR to RF on first pitch he saw in eighth
Given that injuries limited Kris Bryant to 42 games in his first season with the Rockies, the left fielder will be heavily scrutinized this spring.
Bryant did just fine Saturday in Colorado’s Cactus League opener against the Diamondbacks. In the first inning, he reached on a fielder’s choice and then scored from first base on Ryan Mcmahon’s double to center. Bryant also blooped an RBI single to right in the second inning.
“I felt fine, but I just felt slow,” Bryant said with a laugh. “I guess that was a little test for me. But that felt good. (The speed) comes with getting in these games and getting some running in before games.”
Bryant, who said he is 100% healthy, didn’t hesitate when he ran the bases.
“That was one of those balls that if you don’t score on it, it looks kind of bad, you know?” he said. “Today, it was good to get the first slide, the first at-bat, the first hit. All of that.”
Bryant’s last game was on July 31 before he was shut down for the rest of the season because of a bone bruise and plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Position battles
Utilityman Harold Castro, a non-roster invitee who was picked up by Colorado after he was non-tendered by Detriot, has made a strong impression. Leading off and playing second base on Saturday, he doubled in his first at-bat and then roped a two-run triple in his second at-bat. Castro, 29, can play multiple positions, including the outfield.
Prospect watch: Outfielder Zac Veen, the club’s No.1 prospect, is slated to begin the season at Double-a Hartford, but he’s already made a big impression in camp. Literally. The 6-foot-4 Veen left the Arizona Fall League weighing 188 pounds and now weighs 212.
Plus, Veen launched a solo homer to right on the first pitch he saw in the eighth inning. How did Veen put on nearly 25 pounds of muscle?
“Working out and eating a lot better,” he said Saturday. “I started using B-rod’s (second baseman Brendan Rodgers’) chef and that made a big difference.”
Injury report
Right-hander German Marquez, working his way back from a sore left hamstring, threw live batting practice Saturday morning and emerged with no problems. Although Marquez will miss the first round of the World Baseball Classic (pitching for Venezuela), he will be ready for the Rockies’ season opener.
Rockies 12, Diamondbacks 5
Today at Salt River Fields
On the mound
Right-hander Noah Davis was eager to get the first start of spring but he got roughed up over his 1 2/3 innings. Although the Dbacks scored just one run, Davis was charged with three hits and three walks. He left with the bases loaded but lefty Ty Blach bailed him out by striking out Josh Rojas.
At the plate
Second baseman Coco Montez, a non-roster invitee, hit Colorado’s first home run of spring, a two-run shot off Arizona right-hander Ryan Hendrix in the seventh.