Anderson (knee) eyes rotation return Monday

DENVER -- Rockies manager Bud Black declined to make an announcement Friday, but signs point toward lefty Tyler Anderson rejoining the starting rotation for Monday’s game against the Nationals.

Anderson last pitched on April 5 -- when he gave up six runs and nine hits in four innings during a 10-6 home-opening loss to the Dodgers – before going on the injured list with left knee inflammation. After having fluid drained from the knee, Anderson threw four innings in an extended spring training game Monday and threw a bullpen session Wednesday.

Anderson’s workload is controlled enough that he should be able to make the start Monday. Righty Chad Bettis, who was moved to the bullpen this week, but through Thursday had not pitched in relief in a game, is the other option.

Anderson said Thursday that he could be expected to carry a full load in his first start back in the rotation, which would be approaching 100 pitches. Anderson’s knee issue began during Spring Training, and the Rockies placed him on the IL after he went 0-2 with an 11.00 ERA and lasted a total of nine innings in his two starts.

“It’s a lot better,” Anderson said. “The fact that I can walk is a big difference. It was bothering me to walk and do normal activities. Now that we got the fluid out of there, it’s much better.”

Also, depending on how Bettis is used in the coming days, the Rockies could have him in reserve in case Anderson struggles or needs to come out sooner than expected.

Can Bettis find velocity in the bullpen?

Bettis gave up two home runs but otherwise pitched well in a start at Tampa Bay on April 1, took a beating while struggling with his location against the Dodgers at home on April 7 and then bobbed and weaved through five innings and gave up two runs on six hits last Friday at San Francisco. But the concerning factor was his four-seam fastball velocity -- an average of 91.4 mph in his first start, 90.1 in his second and 88.7 in his third, according to Statcast.

Bettis believes his 92-mph fastball could be enough to set up his other pitches – especially a cutter and a changeup that can be highly effective – but his current velocity is “not sustainable for seven innings, so this gives me an opportunity to air some out a little bit and gain some arm strength back.”

The plan worked immediately. Pitching in the 12th inning of the Rockies' 4-3 victory Friday, Bettis' first two pitches were 92.4 and 93.6 mph, respectively. Then he sat above 94, and topped 95 on three occasions.

After a blister problem led the Rockies to remove him from the rotation last year, Bettis posted a 2.38 ERA in 11 1/3 relief innings over seven appearances.

Electric arm to watch

Righty reliever Justin Lawrence, the Rockies' No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA at Triple-A Albuquerque, but take a look a little deeper: All of the runs scored off him came in his first two outings.

Lawrence, a 24-year-old sidearmer with an upper 90s fastball and hard slider, entered Friday having made three straight scoreless, one-inning appearances with just one hit allowed. The Rockies thought enough of him to have him skip Double-A, and hard throwers with unusual deliveries tend to move quickly if they perform well. The current three-game run has one caveat; two walks to one strikeout.