SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Outfielder Zac Veen, the Rockies’ top prospect who has a legitimate chance to make his big-league debut this season — possibly before the All-Star break — is hard to ignore.
On the field or in the clubhouse.
“He runs the bases hard, plays a good, solid outfield,” manager Bud Black said Friday. “Just the (look) of him now. … He’s got the hair out of the helmet. He’s got the headband. For a lot of people, a lot of fans, it might be a good look — because it looks right.”
And Black didn’t even mention the bling around Veen’s neck. But he has noticed how the 6-foot-4 slugger has muscled up to 215 pounds.
“I saw (him) in the Arizona Fall League and I saw him here for the first time 10 days ago or so, and I go, ‘Damn,’ ” Black said with a laugh. “He goes, ‘Yeah, I put on 25 (pounds).’ I go, ‘From Thanksgiving until now?’ ‘Yeah.’ ”
Black is fine with the bulk.
“It’s good weight. He can handle it,” Black said. “(He’s a) tall kid and his shoulders are broad.”
Injury report: Right-hander German Marquez, who suffered a tweaked left hamstring early in camp, is mending quickly. Marquez is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday and the Rockies have no doubts he’ll be ready for the regular season.
On Friday, right-hander Antonio Senzatela (ACL knee surgery) and lefty Ryan Rolison (shoulder surgery) both threw bullpens. Both pitchers, however, are weeks away from pitching in games.
Cactus League start: Right-hander Noah Davis is scheduled to start Saturday’s exhibition opener vs. the Diamondbacks at Salt River Field. He’s not taking the assignment lightly.
“I want to show them what I have and take advantage of as many opportunities as I can,” Davis said Friday morning. “So I was really excited to get the news. I just have to go out there and do my best.”
Last season, Davis was initially called up from Double-A Hartford on Sept. 16 but was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque before he made a single appearance with Colorado. He was recalled again on Oct. 4 and pitched a single inning of relief the next day against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He allowed two runs on three hits, serving up a solo homer to Cody Bellinger.
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