Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray working to develop curveball

Rockies' Jon Gray working on new curveball - MLB.com
A developing curveball could have been the source of Jon Gray's struggles against the Cubs on Monday, writes Thomas Harding. Gray have up a pair of solo home runs in 2⅔ innings against Chicago, but did strike out Dexter Fowler with a curve in the dirt.

DJ LeMahieu's grass stains at mid-season form diving around for Rockies - The Denver Post
Gray's outing could have been worse if not for some stellar defense from second baseman DJ LeMahieu. Nick Groke has a summary of LeMahieu's day in the field along with some other notes from yesterday's 4-2 Rockies win.

Gerardo Parra could help Rockies' road record - MLB.com
The biggest name to join the Rockies this offseason was outfielder Gerardo Parra, who talked with Thomas Harding about the difference between hitting at home and on the road for Rockies players and how his game could play better than most when Colorado heads to sea level.

Jairo Diaz's loss to Tommy John a blow to Rockies bullpen - The Denver Post
Nick Groke got a chance to talk with Rockies reliever Jairo Diaz, who tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during Saturday's game. Diaz will undergo Tommy John surgery when the swelling in his arm subsides and will be out until to sometime in 2017. You can read more about Diaz's injury from Purple Row's Bryan Kilpatrick here.

Cristhian Adames has a shot to make Rockies - MLB.com
A key player in the battle to open the season at shortstop, Rockies prospecy Cristhian Adames is off to a hot start in Spring Training, with three hits, two of them doubles, in his first eight at bats. Adames is out of options, so the Rockies will be forced to make a decision with him before heading north for the regular season.

MLB to act fast on Jose Reyes' fate after court case, Rob Manfred says - The Denver Post
The battle at shortstop exists because Jose Reyes will miss at least the beginning of the 2016 trial because of his trial in Hawaii for domestic violence last fall. In a visit to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said that the league will wait for Reyes' court case to conclude before making a final decision on a suspension.

Make-or-break seasons: Players on the spot in the National League - ESPN.com
ESPN's David Schoenfield identifies one player for each NL team that needs to step up in order for them to have a successful season. For the Rockies, he singles out starting pitcher Jordan Lyles, pointing out the team's new focus on high-end fastballs and Lyles' average fastball velocity of just 92 mph. Lyles makes his Cactus League debut today.