Major League Baseball

Pain-free Chacin allows 2 runs; Rockies fall to D-backs

Published Mar. 5, 2015 6:04 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Jhoulys Chacin allowed two runs and two hits while getting five outs in his first game in more than eight months for Colorado in the Rockies' 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Chacin's 2014 season started a month late and ended June 28 due to persistent shoulder trouble. Chacin, who avoided surgery, struck out one, walked one and had a fastball clocked in the upper 80s. He mixed sliders and changeups among his 35 pitches.

Chacin said he struggled with mechanics and isn't worried about his velocity while declaring himself pain-free.

''I've been throwing with no issues, no anything,'' Chacin said. ''Before, every time, it was, see how it feels today, see how I'm going to throw today. Now I'm just building my arm to get ready for the season.''

Mark Trumbo had an opposite-field double and Cody Ross a broken-bat RBI single in the second off Chacin, who was Colorado's top right-handed starter in 2013.

''It was a solid outing for the first time out,'' manager Walt Weiss said. ''We're trying to build him back up.''

Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas went 0 for 3 and had an uneven Cactus League debut at third for Arizona. He made fine plays on consecutive grounders, but later misplayed one ruled a hit in the third.

''Those are the things that we get concerned with, the focus in a long inning when you haven't played a lot of infield.'' manager Chip Hale said before adding it was an ''encouraging'' performance.

Danny Dorn hit a two-run homer off Rockies prospect Eddie Butler in the fourth.

Colorado's Justin Morneau, the 2014 NL batting champion, grounded into a double play and flied to center in his first spring game.

STARTING TIME:

Rockies: Chacin will make $5.5 million in the last year of his contract.

''I think if I can stay healthy all year, I can pitch like I did two years ago,'' he said.

Diamondbacks: Trevor Cahill, in contention for a rotation spot, allowed two hits and walked one in two scoreless innings as he worked on a new delivery angle.

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki (hip) and Carlos Gonzalez (knee) could play next week.

''We're feeling really good,'' Gonzalez said. ''Hopefully, next week me and Tulo will be playing games again.''

That would be sooner than originally planned as they recover from surgeries. Both began running the bases this week.

Diamondbacks: Closer Addison Reed (shoulder) is progressing toward a batting practice session. ... Reliever Brad Ziegler (knee) will also throw to hitters soon, Hale said. ... Pitchers Matt Reynolds (rib) and Blake Beavan (hamstring) are scheduled to throw batting practice Friday. SS Chris Owings (shoulder) is set to take BP on Friday.

JUST A BRUISE:

As the fastball sailed toward his head on Wednesday, left fielder David Peralta flashed back to a year ago in Arizona's minor league camp.

''I got hit in the head and got a concussion,'' Peralta said. ''So I said, `Not again.'''

No concussion this time, as Colorado lefty Aaron Laffey's pitch glanced off his helmet and then hit his forearm.

Peralta pointed to a bruise on his right arm that didn't limit him in Thursday's workout.

''Thank God it wasn't that bad,'' he said.

Peralta is hoping for a starting job after hitting .286 in his first big league season in 2014.

''A lot of competition,'' Peralta said. ''I like that.''

THIS AND THAT:

Hale expects to pass on the 1,117-calorie ''churro dog'' dessert the Diamondbacks will sell this season.

''But it looks tasty maybe to the younger crowd,'' he said.

Hale is a fan of the vintage 2001 purple and teal uniforms they'll wear on Thursdays.

''We're trying to embrace the past,'' Hale said. ''It was a pretty good time. We won a World Series.''

UP NEXT:

Rockies: Offseason acquisition Kyle Kendrick starts Friday against the Angels.

Diamondbacks: Newcomers Robbie Ray and Allen Webster are to pitch Friday against the Athletics.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball