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The Colorado Rockies are once again playing .500 baseball after Saturday afternoon's win over the San Diego Padres in Cactus League action. Today, they'll try to get another win in against the Cincinnati Reds, on the road at Goodyear Ballpark. And as always, we'll have a game thread up for you in a few hours' time. In the meantime, some news, notes, and links this morning:
Chatwood thrilled to be back facing big leaguers — MLB.com
Tyler Chatwood hasn't started a big league game since April of 2014, so even though it's just a spring start and may not count for much by way of memories and meaning, this had to have been a huge day for him. So far, so good, and it seems like Chatwood is going to get his chances this month before the team breaks camp for Opening Day.
Raburn joins Rockies, boosts OF competition — MLB.com
We'll have more on Ryan Raburn on this very site in about an hour's time, but obviously his month in Scottsdale will be one to watch closely. Maybe he beats out Brandon Barnes for a fourth outfielder job, or maybe he is granted is release by the end of the month if he feels like he won't crack the big league roster. Competition awaits!
Rockies prospect Castro shows off fastball — MLB.com
The interesting thing here, of course, is that it sure sounds like Miguel Castro is going to stay in the bullpen with the Rockies as opposed to being shifted back into a starter's role, as he'd done previously in his career. He's very young with a very live arm, so he's going to develop either way, but it'll be interesting to see how he handles a relief role and whether or not he can break camp with the team.
MLB Network robot says Nolan Arenado isn't a top-5 MLB third baseman — Mile High Sports
LMAO, OK, sure, MLB Network robot. Sure. Ya doofus.
Yohan Flande, with a discovered breaking ball, outdoes his Rockies cohorts — Denver Post
That's the man, right there! Yohan Flande looked smooth in two innings of work on Saturday afternoon, and he's got as good a shot as any (David Hale, Chris Rusin, Christian Bergman) to win that long relief role in the Rockies' bullpen right out of camp. He certainly helped his own cause against the Padres.