Tucson – Rockies catchers had better be well-armed when the regular season opens a month from today.
Colorado’s first 19 games are against National League West rivals, meaning they’ll face speedsters such as the Dodgers’ Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal, San Francisco’s Dave Roberts and Arizona youngsters Chris Young and Stephen Drew.
After two stints on the disabled list last season because of an injured shoulder, Yorvit Torrealba said Thursday he’ll be ready to challenge base-stealers.
“My shoulder is pain-free and working good,” he said. “It’s not where I want it to be, but it’s getting better every day. It’s definitely way better than it was all of last year. I think by opening day it’s going to be 100 percent, maybe even before then.”
Torrealba is competing with 36-year-old Javy Lopez and rookie Chris Iannetta for two spots on the roster.
“A big part of our decision will be based on who can throw guys out,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “We’ve got 30 days to see how this plays out.”
In Wednesday’s Cactus League opener, Lopez was 0-for-3 against White Sox base-stealers. In the Rockies’ 4-3 victory over Chicago on Thursday, Iannetta was charged with an error when he skipped a throw trying to catch Aaron Cunningham stealing second.
Commercial break
For the first time since their inaugural 1993 season, the Rockies are mounting a TV advertising campaign. The six humor-driven ads are being produced by Blue Goose Productions, an award-winning firm based in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Slugger Matt Holliday said he’s happy to see the Rockies taking a more aggressive marketing approach.
“When the fans feel like they can get to know you on a more personal level, I think that sparks a more heartfelt love of the team,” Holliday said.
Footnotes
The Rockies clinched Thursday’s game on a double play in the ninth when shortstop Jonathan Herrera caught a pop fly in short left-center and threw out Chicago’s Kenny Kelly at home. …
Outfielder Jeff Salazar drove in the winning run with a two- out RBI single in the eighth. …
Lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt struggled in his spring debut, giving up one run on three hits and walking two in one inning. “He had a chance to put that inning away early … but he’ll tighten up that command,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “But nobody wants to throw 30 pitches in an inning.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
