Five pitchers in focus in NL West

Colorado: Christian Friedrich

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

He hasn’t pitched in 10 months. Hasn’t thrown a pitch in a big league game since mid-2012. The significance of Friedrich’s outing on Monday evening was striking. The Rockies righty suffered a stress fracture in his lower back. Thomas Harding who covers the Rockies for MLB.com has Friedrich’s reaction to his first work in almost a year.

"“I took a look around to kind of get acclimated, and it was pretty neat,” Friedrich said. “It felt great. It’s the beginning of spring and you have ups and downs. But after a year and all the rehab, and I know it was just another game and an inning and two-third, but it felt like it was worth every bit of waiting…"

Friedrich mentions the support he has received during his time away from the field.

And Friedrich has the opportunity, at least temporarily, to land a spot in the starting rotation. With the status of Jhoulys Chacin being a bit murky, Freidrich could be that guy while Chacin mends from a shoulder strain.

Sure, he walked a couple. Surrendered a few hits as well. And faced Archie Bradley.