Michael Cuddyer scores Monday for the Rockies in Tempe, Ariz. Catching for the Angels: Ex-Rockie Chris Iannetta. Chris Carlson, The Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. — The re-education of outfielder Tyler Colvin makes him a favorite to stick on the Rockies’ roster, especially with Charlie Blackmon out indefinitely with a turf toe injury.

If the Rockies keep just four outfielders, it might come down to a choice between Colvin and Eric Young Jr. In 2010, Colvin hit 20 home runs for the Cubs, but he became so pull-happy that he messed up his swing. He hit just .150 in 2011 and was sent down to Triple-A. This spring, he has concentrated on hitting to all fields, and it’s paying off. His versatility — he’s comfortable at all three outfield spots and has played first base — is a bonus.

Monday, against the Angels, the left-handed hitter drove in

a run with a solid single in the fourth inning and then singled, stole second and scored in the sixth. He’s hitting .400.

“I knew after the year I had, I was going to have to prove myself,” said Colvin, acquired from the Cubs as part of the trade for third baseman Ian Stewart. “I just have to keep hitting and playing good defense.”

The Rockies worked overtime to fix Colvin’s swing.

“The kid got in a rut and got himself in a lot of trouble,” manager Jim Tracy said. “Now he’s doing a great job of staying square and keeping his hands in front of him. He’s driving the ball the other way. He’s a really good athlete.”

Toe woes. Blackmon can’t run or put pressure on his foot because of his injury. “The injury is

more than the big toe, it’s the joint around the ball of my foot,” Blackmon said. “It’s very painful and whenever I put weight on it and rotate on it, it really bites me.”

Clearly frustrated, Blackmon said the only remedy is rest, but added, “I don’t know how much time I have to be sitting around and resting.”

Pomeranz making progress. Lefty Drew Pomeranz gave up one run and four hits in four innings. He moved the ball well throughout the strike zone, but he was not pleased

with his high pitch count (85).

“So far, this is the first time I haven’t been as efficient with my pitches,” Pomeranz said.

He said his arm feels strong and he has no problems from the right glute strain that sidelined him.

Fowler update. Dexter Fowler went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, dropping his average to .114, but Tracy praised Fowler’s defense and remains confident Fowler will find his swing.

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —  Even after hitting his first two home runs of the spring Sunday vs. the Reds, Todd Helton still couldn’t resist a joke.

“I need to save them because they are so few and far between now,” the Rockies’ 38-year-old first baseman deadpanned.

But when Helton started talking about his swing, he turned serious.

“Absolutely it feels good,” said Helton, who raised his average to .407. “To take all that you have been working on in the cage and translate that over to the game, that feels good.”

His second homer Sunday, an opposite-field power shot to left off Reds starter Johnny Cueto, was a good sign that his swing is in tune.

“That is the indication,” Helton said. “It was a 2-0

changeup. To be able to stay back on that ball, and to stay through it, is a big indicator.”

Helton’s chronic lower-back problem is under control, at least for now, and manager Jim Tracy likes what he sees.

“Todd is in a very good place right now,” he said. “He looks very strong in his legs.”

Chacin rebounds. Jhoulys Chacin rebounded from a tough start last Tuesday and pitched five solid innings. The right-hander’s fastball command — his biggest issue — was much better and he kept the ball lower in the zone.

Chacin allowed two runs and six hits, walked two and struck out two.

Footnote. Tracy confirmed that right-handers Alex White and Esmil Rogers, both of whom entered the camp as

potential starters, are now relievers. Rogers pitched an impressive one-two-three ninth inning, striking out the Reds’ Jay Bruce to end the game.

Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1720 or psaunders@denverpost.com

Rockies 7, Reds 3

At Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Hits: Veteran Casey Blake, out to prove he deserves a spot as the starting third baseman, hit his first homer of spring, a two-run

shot to left-center in the fifth. … Utility infielder Jonathan Herrara improved his average to .368 with a double in the fifth.

Misses: Blake turned a routine groundball out into an error in the fourth when his throw to first sailed high.

On deck: The Rockies play the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium today (2:05 p.m. MDT). Lefty Drew Pomeranz starts for the Rockies and righty Garrett Richards starts for the Angels.

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Troy Tulowitzki finally homered to drive in his first run of the spring Tuesday night in the Colorado Rockies‘ 10-6 loss to the San Diego Padres.

The Colorado shortstop said his spring numbers have little bearing on what he tries to accomplish during the exhibition season. He also is aware it’s a luxury he is afforded because of his five-plus years of service time and the 10-year, $157.75 million contract he signed before last season.

”It’s different from when I was young and trying to make a team where you have to have some results,” Tulowitzki said. ”It really doesn’t matter if I’ve got no hits. I’m going to make the team. You don’t worry about it. You worry about controlling the game at the highest level and that’s when you become a real good player.”

Though he carried a .364 average into Tuesday, Tulowitzki only described his 22 at-bats this spring as having gone ”OK.”

But he was pleased with his three trips to the plate against the Padres, including his first-inning solo home run off Joe Wieland. Tulowitzki lined a 0-1 fastball over the fence in left-center.

Tulowitzki later grounded out to third base and popped out to third.

”I’ve had great springs and not very good seasons and I’ve had terrible springs and great seasons,” Tulowitzki said. ”At this point in your career, you’re working on a process more than you are results. I’ve felt OK, not great. Tonight, I was happy with my quality of at-bats. I felt more in control and that’s all you’re really working on.”

Padres outfielder Will Venable has worked all offseason with new hitting coach Phil Plantier on a consistent approach at the plate. Venable went 3 for 4 with a double, two singles and two runs. He also stole a pair of bases and raised his spring average to .364.

”The setup and stance is the same all spring,” Padres manager Bud Black said. ”The consistency is there. He’s seeing the ball better. He’s laying off borderline pitches. He’s swinging at strikes and taking balls. That’s something he has to continue to do. I think he has found some consistency.”

Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez left with a left knee contusion after he was hit by a pitch in the second inning. Hernandez said he was sore and expects to have a bruise, but isn’t concerned about long-term damage.

Hernandez, who signed a two-year deal worth $6.4 million with Colorado on Nov. 30, hit .282 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs in 91 games for Cincinnati last season.

Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin gave up three runs, seven hits and walked two in three innings.

Chacin, 11-14 with a 3.62 ERA in 31 starts last season, struck out two. One of Colorado’s top three starters, Chacin left his previous start with a blister on his right index finger. But the blister didn’t factor into Chacin’s troubles against the Padres.

”I felt a bit stronger,” Chacin said. ”But I was leaving all the pitches up. I just have to work on more of a downhill plane. I’m not going to change anything. I just have to keep working and keep it down.”

Cameron Maybin hit a solo homer in four at-bats for San Diego, and Jesus Guzman had a pinch-hit grand slam.

Padres third baseman Chase Headley had two hits and walked twice in five plate appearances. Colorado second baseman Jonathan Herrera hit a two-run homer.

Colorado Rockies’ Chris Nelson attempts a leaping catch on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Matt Davidson during the ninth inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Nelson dropped the ball, and Davidson was safe at first. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

PEORIA, Ariz. — This is his time.

That’s what Chris Nelson knows even if he would rather not delve into what it means. This opportunity, seemingly forever out of his reach as a first-round draft pick trudging through the minor leagues, has dropped into his lap.

With the chances of Casey Blake making the Rockies’ roster decreasing because of a neck injury, Nelson has a prime opportunity to go from faceless bench player to starting third baseman.

“I have been feeling like I could play every day as long as I have been coming to big-league camp. I take the same approach. I try to have fun with it and let my game take care of itself,” said Nelson, who’s endlessly smiling. “To stress about how many people

are competing for this and that, that’s just a distraction I don’t need right now.”

Nelson is no longer a kid. He’s 26 and out of options. This might not be his last chance at an everyday gig, but it could be his best.

“The message is clear: Take advantage of this,” manager Jim Tracy said. “He has responded.”

Once considered one of the Rockies’ top young players, Nelson was derailed by injuries and inconsistency. His career highlight remains his straight steal of home Sept. 9, 2010, at Coors Field in a win over the Reds.

Nelson hit .250 in 63 games last year, splitting time between second base and third. He was frequently the victim of a roster crunch, yo-yoing between Denver and Triple-A Colorado Springs. He arrived

in Scottsdale for spring training as a favorite to win a bench job.

Now he’s in line to help patch a position that helped sink the Rockies last year, possibly splitting time with the versatile Jordan Pacheco.

“He has the tools. Now it’s about getting the most from them,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said.

Nelson learned from last season, showing maturity after demotions. Rather than pout in Triple-A, cliché behavior, he played better.

“I didn’t want there to be

any question marks about me,” Nelson said.

That attitude served him well over the winter as he welcomed Rockies infield coach Rich Dauer to Atlanta for three days of defensive workouts in January.

Even if the third baseman is penciled in as No. 8 in the Rockies’ lineup, Nelson has to hit more to be a starter. His right wrist healthy — that limited him last September — Nelson has shown improvement turning on inside pitches. He’s batting .267 in 30 at-bats, but leads the Rockies in line outs.

“It just comes down to being consistent,” Jason Giambi said.

Nelson understands the landscape. It’s possible that he will merely keep the seat warm for top prospect Nolan Arenado, shifting Nelson back to a utility

role.

But baseball doesn’t always follow script. Nelson was once Arenado, a can’t-miss prospect, and his route became a slalom course.

And just as this path opened to third base, he was hit with a fungo groundball in the right temple during batting practice Friday.

Nelson all but waved off treatment. No time for this. Not now.

“It was a little scary,” Nelson said. “I was like, ‘Hold on, for a minute.’ I didn’t want to get hit by a batted ball. After that I told them, ‘I am good. I am good. No problems.’ “

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294 or trenck@denverpost.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Jhoulys Chacin blames poor grooming for a blister on his right index finger.

“I just cut my nail too short and I get a blister,” Chacin said. “It’s nothing to worry about. Everything is fine. I’m going to make my next start anyway.”

Chacin pitched three scoreless innings before leaving with the injury and the Colorado Rockies beat a Chicago Cubs split squad 7-5 Thursday.

In good spirits afterward, Chacin said he will make his next start Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.

Cubs second baseman Blake DeWitt also left the game with an injury. He was hit by a pitch on his right arm in the fifth inning. He will be reevaluated.

Cubs starter Rodrigo Lopez gave up two runs and six hits in three innings, striking out two. He stayed in the game after a comebacker hit him in the lower back in the third inning.

The Cubs’ Junior Lake and Colorado’s Wilin Rosario and Jordan Pacheco each hit home runs.

Chacin — who is expected to be the Rockies’ No. 2 starter — said the blister popped up on the tip of his finger when he was throwing in the bullpen before the game. The blister grew as he pitched, so the Rockies pulled him before the fourth inning. He threw 44 pitches, 28 for strikes.

Chacin said he had trouble gripping the ball because of the blister.

“They got all the blood out,” he said. “Tomorrow, we’ll see how it feels.”

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said he expects Chacin to make his next start, and Chacin would have stayed in if it had been a regular-season game.

“Chacin is rounding into form,” Tracy said. “The important thing is his fastball command. For the most part today it was there. When that is there, his breaking stuff is very, very difficult to deal with.”

For the Cubs, Lopez said he was satisfied with his three-inning outing. He’s competing for one of two open spots in the starting rotation.

“I want to make the rotation,” he said. “As long as I have a shot, I’m going to fight for it. At the end, it’s not my decision.”

Lake hit a three-run home run off Christian Fredrich. Rosario smacked a two-run home run off Lopez. Pacheco hit a two-run home run off Alberto Cabrera that gave the Rockies a 6-4 lead in the sixth.

Chicago’s Bryan LaHair went 3 for 5 with a double.

NOTES: Rockies rotation candidate Jamie Moyer will not pitch against minor leaguers Friday because of stiffness in his left leg, Tracy said. . Rockies third baseman Casey Blake looked good in batting practice Thursday, Tracy said. He has been out since Monday because of a stiff neck. He had neck surgery in September. .Starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz will pitch against minor leaguers Wednesday rather than his scheduled start Sunday because of stiffness in his hip. .

   (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Read More: Rodrigo Lopez (P – CHC), Carlos Torres (P – COL), Jhoulys Chacin (P – COL), Wilin Rosario (C – COL), Rex Brothers (P – COL), Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs

Wilin Rosario went 2-3 at the plate and drove in two runs, Jhoulys Chacin pitched three scoreless innings, and the Colorado Rockies prevailed 7-5 over the Chicago Cubs in Cactus League play on Thursday afternoon.

Related: Rockies ST Game Thread: Jhoulys Chacin vs. Rodrigo Lopez

Colorado got on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, and the Cubs would trail until the sixth inning, when they pushed three runs across to take a slim 4-3 lead. But Colorado responded in the bottom half of the sixth to get those three runs right back and claim a 6-4 lead. The two teams traded runs in the seventh, but that was it for the scoring.

Carlos Torres and Rex Brothers pitched a scoreless eighth inning and ninth inning, respectively.

For more coverage of all things Denver sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, visit Purple Row. For more updates throughout Spring Training, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Matt McBride, a former Liberty High School and Lehigh University baseball player, was sent to the Colorado Rockies’ minor-league camp today.

He went 0-for-4 with a walk in three spring training games.

McBride, a catcher, played 12 games at Triple-A Columbus and 84 at Double-A Akron last season before being traded to the Rockies by the Cleveland Indians in August. He finished the season playing six games with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.

He hit a combined .277 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs with the three minor-league teams last season.

Jordan Pacheco went 3 for 3 with three RBIs and Todd Helton had two doubles and drove in a run, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Texas Rangers 6-1 on Wednesday.

Tyler Chatwood, who is competing for the final spot in the Rockies’ rotation, held Texas to one run on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

Helton and Pacheco had consecutive one-out doubles off Rangers starter Neftali Feliz to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead in the second.

Feliz went three innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton left the game after two innings after jamming his right heel chasing down Helton’s second-inning double. He’s day to day.

As a closer, Neftali Feliz needed a fastball and velocity more than finesse and defense.

Not so as a starter.

Feliz used his fastball early before relying on his slider and changeup to escape trouble twice, giving up a run in three innings of the Texas Rangers’ 6-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies split squad Wednesday.

“I felt comfortable,” said Feliz, who allowed four hits and struck out three. “I was trying to hit my spots and I did it. You have to feel confident.”

Feliz started strong, striking out Eric Young Jr. on three pitches and then striking out two of the next three batters, primarily using his blazing fastball.

But when the Rockies hitters started settling in and five of seven batters reached base, Feliz went to his secondary pitches to induce inning-ending double plays in the second and third to limit the damage.

“You can’t rely only on your fastball,” Feliz said. “You have to be comfortable with any pitches you can use to get outs.”

Feliz was a starter in the minors before earning the closer’s role the past two seasons. Last spring, the team flirted with dropping Feliz into the rotation before moving him back to the bullpen midway through camp.

“I appreciate the team giving me the chance because it always was my dream to be a starter in the major leagues,” Feliz said. “You stay more with your teammates in the game, you think more about what you have to do and the adrenaline goes even higher because you’re going to be in the game longer.”

Feliz now is throwing four pitches consistently _ a fastball, curve, slider and changeup _ and Texas manager Ron Washington said that’s enough.

“He doesn’t need seven pitches . cuttin’, sinkin’, splittin’,” Washington said with a laugh.

Feliz also received some help from his outfielders. Marco Scutaro lifted a high fly ball that Josh Hamilton pulled back from over the left field bullpen wall in the first.

The scene was replayed in the third when Nelson Cruz made a leaping catch of Tim Wheeler’s fly to right inches in front of the top of the wall.

Hamilton left the game one inning after his defensive gem when he jammed his right heel stopping himself after chasing a double down the line by Todd Helton.

Helton finished 2 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI, and Jordan Pacheco went 3 for 3 with three runs driven in.

Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood made a strong statement in his bid for a spot at the tail end of the Colorado rotation.

Chatwood held the Rangers to one run on four hits. He walked one, struck out two and threw 30 of 50 pitches for strikes.

“Early on I was getting ahead of the hitters and just kind of not letting them battle back in the counts,” said Chatwood, who faced Texas a handful of times last season while with the Los Angeles Angels. “Later I was falling behind but trying to battle back and I made some good pitches when I needed to.”

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler returned to the lineup after missing three games with stiffness in his lower back and had two of the Rangers’ six hits.

NOTES: Chatwood got some defensive help of his own when Scutaro caught Kinsler too far past third base after Elvis Andrus’ single in the third and started an inning-ending rundown. . Hamilton was icing his heel in the clubhouse and is listed as day-to-day. . Rangers C Mike Napoli missed his fourth straight game with a strained left groin muscle. Napoli likely will DH when he returns rather than move immediately behind the plate. . Rockies 3B Casey Blake sat out his third straight game with a stiff neck.