SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bud Black settled behind the screen Monday on a backfield at Salt River Fields, a bucket of baseballs by his side. The Rockies’ new manager is a rarity — he still throws batting practice. “And when a lefty starts against us,” the former pitcher said, “I’m the guy for BP.”
Black, though, can’t call on himself from the bullpen. And on the first day of full-squad spring training workouts, one season removed from an atrocious showing from the Rockies’ relief corps, Black has a pitching card staring at him to fill out.
After signing veteran right-hander Greg Holland and lefty Mike Dunn in the off-season, the Rockies are top-heavy with veterans at the back end of the bullpen.