TUCSON — He has gone from weight and see to wait and see.
Two years ago, Rockies reliever Manuel Corpas battled conditioning issues. Last season he leaned out but was ineffective because of bone chips in his elbow.
Corpas is trying to make a strong early impression this spring, knowing that his role is undefined and not necessarily guaranteed. After battling a tweaked right hamstring, Corpas impressed manager Jim Tracy with his performance during live batting practice Saturday.
“He was pushing the ball down, and that’s exactly what we were looking for. That’s his bread and butter,” Tracy said of Corpas, who went 1-3 with a 5.88 ERA last season. “It’s about realizing who you are and what makes you good. If you try to do more, the ball comes up and it’s rat-a-tat-tat.”
Clint Barmes was one of three batters to face Corpas and praised his slider.
Kindred spirits.
The Rockies have never had a bench player with Jason Giambi’s stature and mystique. But the Nuggets have. Turns out that Giambi and the Nuggets’ Chris Andersen, who is known as the “Birdman,” are friends.
“We met in Las Vegas and got along. He’s a good guy,” Giambi said.
The two have more than free spirits in common. Both of their bodies look like murals, though Giambi was swift with his answer when asked Saturday who had more tattoos.
“He definitely does,” Giambi said.
Footnotes.
Greg Smith was the forgotten man in the Matt Holliday trade to Oakland, given the contributions of Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street. Finally healthy, Smith was impressive during Saturday’s throwing session. A year ago, the left-handed starter was so weak from multiple battles with the flu that his fastball topped out at only 82 miles per hour. “I am not walking out of here with my arm hanging anymore,” Smith said. . . .
Gonzalez put on a show during batting practice. He lined a shot off pitcher Matt Reynolds that never got more than 15 feet off the ground and one-hopped to the center-field wall. . . .
Justin Speier showed off a good split-fingered changeup during his throwing session. Speier, who is making the $400,000 minimum salary, is trying to make the Rockies’ bullpen as a nonroster invitee. . . . Catcher Paul Lo Duca spent part of last season working as a horse racing analyst for the Television Games Network. . . .
The Rockies are using the half- fields to work on pitchers’ pick moves, sign recognition from catchers and fielding drills.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
