Notes: Almonte eyes 'pen; Nuñez selective

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies right-handed reliever Yency Almonte is striving for the big innings.

Almonte, 26, had a breakout performance in 2020 (3-0, 2.93 ERA in 24 games), and received work later in games as injuries and slumps hurt the bullpen. Almonte’s work this spring, the latest outing a six-pitch, perfect inning in Thursday’s 8-6 loss to the Cubs, added to a pattern that could have him holding a late-game spot as the 2021 season begins.

“Any other baseball player would probably say the same thing -- you want to have that big role,” Almonte said. “Whether you get it or not, you have to shoot for it. And that's something that I think I can handle.”

The Rockies feel confident in their bullpen depth, but the roles are not locked, beyond Daniel Bard as closer.

In Friday’s game against the Giants, righty Scott Oberg, whose pedigree suggests a primary setup role and possibly closing, will face an opponent for the first time since blood clots in his throwing arm recurred last summer. Oberg missed the end of ’19 with the same condition. While Jairo Díaz and Carlos Estévez have closed in the Majors and have the power pitches for late in the game, both struggled through health disruptions last season and neither has pitched well this spring.

Early in camp Almonte has been electric with his fastball and slider, which he used Thursday, and has shown growing confidence in his changeup. Almonte and fellow righties Tyler Kinley and Robert Stephenson have been the Rockies’ strongest relievers in Cactus League play. All have enough experience not to be counted out for late-innings duty.

Since the Angels selected him in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Miami (Fla.) Christopher Columbus High, the plan was to develop his three-pitch mix. He was traded to the White Sox for infielder Gordon Beckham before the 2015 season and to the Rockies for reliever Tommy Kahnle after that year. The Rockies converted him to a full-time reliever. Almonte found his form last season, when he developed confidence in the changeup.

Almonte was effective, despite not achieving the proper depth with the slider. At his best or not, though, he is confident.

“Last year opened my eyes and showed me that I can pitch at the big league level,” Almonte said. “Going into that offseason, I tried to make sure I repeat what I was doing last year and not try to do anything different. It’s easy to have success, then try to do something different.”

Manager Bud Black said, “He’s confident. He’s in a good place as far as really believing he’s a Major League pitcher with some impact. That’s maturity and growth that comes with service time and success.”

Getting what he wants

Rockies rookie catcher Dom Nuñez is confident against any pitcher’s fastball, but his key is to make sure he doesn’t get himself out on offspeed pitches. On Thursday, he fouled off a 79 mph changeup from Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks to bring the count to 2-2.

Then Nuñez swatted Hendricks’ 85.4 mph sinker 415 feet to right field for a two-run shot, his first homer of the spring.

“I feel great in the box right now,” Nuñez said. “I'm not chasing offspeed pitches, which is the big thing -- if you don't chase it, then they're not usually going to throw it. That's kind of my whole idea.

“The more you can bear down and not chase that offspeed pitch, the better off you're going to be.”

While the Rockies don’t have the longtime veteran behind the plate that Black has often sought, Nuñez and the more-experienced Elias Díaz are familiar with the pitchers and they carry more offense than last year’s tandem of Tony Wolters (Pirates) and Drew Butera (Rangers).

Bowden steps up; Rodríguez and Olivarez struggle

• Rockies No. 15 prospect Ben Bowden, trying to create a spot in the bullpen as a lefty, faced three right-handers in the eighth and emerged with a strikeout and two weak-contact events. Bowden threw a one-hit inning against the D-backs on Tuesday.

“He held his stuff pretty well today,” Black said. “His command was pretty good.”

• Righty Dereck Rodríguez, seeking a rotation spot or possibly long relief, gave up two Joc Pederson homers, and yielded five hits and five runs in three innings. Rodríguez must curb the periodic battles with walks that have been part of his career. He walked his first two batters of the spring Thursday.

“Looked to me he was a little too quick with his windup, a little bit rushed, and his timing was off,” Black said.

• Righty Helcris Olivarez, 20, whose strong early spring and rave scouting reviews helped him rise from No. 18 to No. 7 on the Rockies MLB Pipeline ranking released Thursday, struggled with four walks in his inning.

“He’s still young,” Black said. “He probably got caught up in the moment -- an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs on TV. These are growing pains.”

Up next

Righty Germán Márquez will start Friday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. MST against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.