SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Looking more and more worthy of an opening day start, on Thursday veered off the Cactus League path for a star-studded test against a Puerto Rico team filled with stars. He breezed through.
Gray faced a minimum nine batters, struck out two and picked off a runner from first base in three impressive innings at Salt River Fields. Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor, Houston’s Carlos Correa and Carlos Beltran, St. Louis’ Yadier Molina and the Cubs’ Javier Baez, all failed to get hits against Gray.
“There aren’t a ton of mistakes you can make against a lineup like that,” Gray said. “Just focus on a pitch each time and don’t linger your thoughts too much.”
In consecutive appearances to begin his spring training, Gray looks like a pitcher with a larger skill set. He is regularly throwing curveballs in two-strike counts, unlike his first full season last year, when he preferred to rely on a powerful fastball or a slider.
He averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings last year, best on the team among Rockies starters by a wide margin, and 1.262 walks and hits per inning, second-best on the team.
“I find out more stuff about myself with these games,” Gray said. “I found out the curveball is going to be a weapon. I’ve used it twice now as a strikeout pitch. I didn’t do that at all last year. I’m making strides to develop a full arsenal. I want some options. I want to be unpredictable.”
Only Angel Pagan, on an infield hit, and Eddie Rosario, who doubled to right field, got hits off Gray on Thursday. But the Rockies right-hander snapped a throw to first to pick off Pagan, and Rosario was doubled off on a fly out to right.
Gray, 25, is among a talented rotation mix in Colorado that is young, but untested over the long haul. He will be joined by , 27; , 26; and , 26. A fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs.
Gray is consistently meeting markers in early spring tests.
“Every time you’re on the baseball field, it’s a test. Whether it’s practice, a game against Puerto Rico, a simulated game, a B game,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “A game like today should be treated like a game during the regular season. You’re competing. If you don’t differentiate between a World Series game or a B game or a game against Puerto Rico, you’re better off for it.”
Big return. The upper lip of was trembling as he walked back from a distant backfield Thursday morning. He had counted the days since he last pitched in a game, like marks on a prison wall.
“I was really nervous,” he said. “The last game, it was 369 days exactly.”
Diaz pitched one inning in a B game against Arizona, his first game action since Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last spring that forced him to miss the entire season. He struck out two and forced a fly out with just 11 pitches.
“I didn’t try to do too much,” Diaz said.
When the Rockies acquired him by trade with the Angels before the 2015 season, Diaz’s fastball was measured as high as 101 mph. On Thursday, he pushed to 94 mph consistently, with a 91 mph sinker mixed in.
When spring training started, Diaz expected a May return. But his progress has accelerated. He may be healthy enough to pitch minor-league games as soon as April.
First cuts. The Rockies reassigned six players to minor-league camp, led by corner infield prospect Ryan McMahon. His progress is blocked by all-star at third base and recent free-agent acquisition Ian Desmond at first. And veteran seems like the go-to backup at both spots.
Also reassigned: pitchers Ryan Castellani, Sam Howard and Johendí Jiminian, catcher Chris Rabago and outfielder Rosell Herrera.
