Buchholz takes big step toward return | Inside the Colorado Rockies
Taylor Buchholz, on his 25-pitch batting practice session yesterday: "I’m very happy with it...it went about as good as I can possibly imagine right now. I felt under control out there and was able to throw strikes. I felt normal, which is about all I can ask for going out there the first time." As Etkin states in the story, Bucky will start the season in extended Spring Training before beginning a month-long rehab assignment on May 1st.

Also of note in the article, three Rockies minor leaguers suffered broken noses in two days. Here's to quick recoveries for Jeff Kindel, Chaz Roe, and Joe Scott.

And even more on the injury front: Greg Reynolds will play some catch today; he'll be throwing for the first time since getting hit with a line drive while throwing batting practice earlier this month. Meanwhile, Jimmy Gobble fired 20 fastballs and had no pain. And, Parker Frazier threw 35 pitches in a bullpen sesh and "feels intact."

Bullpen not an option for Smith | Inside the Colorado Rockies
The Rockies will seemingly be heading into the season without many questions as to whom will crack the starting rotation. As was alluded to yesterday by Rox Girl, Greg Smith is vying for the "sixth starter" spot on the Rockies' roster, and that sentiment has pretty much been echoed by Jim Tracy, who says that Smith won't be relegated to the bullpen. This assuredly means that Smith will start the season in Colorado Springs, despite his relatively strong spring (although, some of the stellar numbers could be misleading...check the article above and this one for more).

Beimel open to returning to the Rockies | All Things Rockies
This may be a bigger possibility than it was a week or two ago, with the questions that have arisen in the Rockies' bullpen as of late.

SFGate: Oakland Athletics : The Drumbeat : A's vs. Rockies: Was trading Gonzalez a mistake?
Susan Slusser sparks a debate on whether or not the Oakland Athletics made a mistake in trading Carlos Gonzalez to the Rockies in the Matt Holliday deal. We all know the correct answer to that question and judging by the comments at the bottom of the article, most A's fans do as well.

Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland moved out of ICU - ESPN Boston
Very encouraging news.