TUCSON — Their names were above their lockers. But “X Factor” would suffice.
Manuel Copras and Taylor Buchholz represent questions and possible huge additions to a formidable bullpen. Corpas arrived Thursday with a smile on his face and braids in his hair. He is healthy from elbow surgery last summer, which required the removal of bone chips and the subsequent recovery from a staph infection.
“It’s going to be a bueno year,” Corpas said. “I feel much, much better. I have a good (sinker) again. The slider is good.”
Corpas tested his arm in winterball and earlier this month at the Dominican Republic academy, where he was joined by Jeff Francis and Greg Reynolds.
“Nobody has given up on him,” assured manager Jim Tracy.
Buchholz said Thursday that he’s slightly ahead of progress following elbow ligament transplant surgery. He threw 12 pitches last spring before shutting it down. He is eyeing a late May, early June return to the major leagues after missing last season.
“Everything feels really good. It’s on schedule,” Buchholz said.
Buchholz last pitched on Sept. 8, 2008, when he finished the season with a 2.17 ERA. He has thrown off the mound a few times this winter, and even lightly spun a few curveballs, his best pitch.
Day at the Beach
Rockies’ shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who will arrive Monday, four days before the required reporting date, has made point to be more involved off the field this winter. Tulowitzki confirmed that he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday at Long Beach State in the season-opener against Pepperdine. He was a keynote speaker at the Dirtbags” Leadoff Dinner last spring.
“If you want to somebody to talk about teaching math, I am not your guy. But if it’s baseball and life, I think people can see and hear my passion,” Tulowitzki said.
Footnotes
All but a few of the pitchers arrived Thursday, with the notable exception of Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales. They were scheduled to come in late Thursday night or Friday when the first workout will be held.
…According to the L.A. Times, Eric Gagne on Thursday signed with the Dodgers. The Rockies were considering a minor-league deal for the reliever, who threw for Tracy on Tuesday. Gagne pitched as a starter in the Can-Am league last summer, building up arm strength. He would have been a longshot to make the Rockies roster.
…Catcher Chris Iannetta’s workouts were not upset by Snowmageddon back east. He only got a few inches of snow in Providence. “It missed us,” he said.
