Right-hander Scott Oberg was supposed to be the Rockies’ primary set-up man out of the bullpen, as well as an occasional closer when Daniel Bard needed a break.
But with Oberg out because of blood clots in his right arm, where does manager Bud Black turn?
Black said Monday that his eighth-inning pitchers will usually be right-handers Mychal Givens, Yency Almonte and Tyler Kinley. Almonte and Kinely have both been excellent this spring, but Givens has struggled. Entering Monday, the veteran had an 8.53 ERA in seven Cactus League games (6 1/3 innings) with a 2.05 WHIP, a .292 average against and three home runs. Givens has struck out seven and walked six, including three walks in Sunday’s game against Kansas City.
Black, however, predicts that Givens will be fine once the regular season begins Thursday vs. the Dodgers at Coors Field.
“He’s got a veteran track record during the regular season, so we think that will show up again,” Black said, adding that Givens was not tinkering with any particular pitch this spring.
“There’s not one thing, specifically, that he’s working on,” Black said. “I think his mix of pitches — the fastball, the change and the breaking ball — are under refinement. He’s trying to improve and perfect those.”
Givens, 30, acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline last summer, went 0-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 12 games with the Orioles, but posted a 6.75 ERA in 10 appearances with the Rockies, giving up four home runs.
Bird’s future. First baseman Greg Bird, a graduate of Aurora’s Grandview High School, will begin the season with Triple-A Albuquerque. Bird’s career has been derailed by a series of injuries and he has not played in a big-league game since playing in 10 games for the Yankees in 2019. In 21 Cactus League games this spring, he hit .250 (11-for-44) with one home run.
Black and Bird have talked about Bird’s need to get regular at-bats and playing time in the field to hone his skills.
“He’s admitted that he needs to play and he needs to get repetitions and it probably works best for him in the minor leagues to gain that feel back of being a player,” Black said.
Injury updates. Black provided encouraging news on the status of second baseman Brendan Rodgers (strained hamstring) and left-hander starter Kyle Freeland (strained left shoulder).
“Brendan’s work has increased as far as intensity and activity,” Black said. “He’s been playing catch all along. He was riding a stationary bike for the last week. Now he’s on his feet and jogging. He’s been in the batting cage, hitting, so that’s a good thing.”
Rodgers will likely be out at least three more weeks. Freeland will likely be out for close to two months.
“Kyle is in the early stages of some strengthening exercises,” Black said. “We will monitor that very cautiously, but Kyle’s doing well.”
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Rockies’ Mychal Givens has rough spring but Bud Black projects right-hander as set-up reliever - The Denver Post
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