Parra to make Cactus League debut Sunday

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra, who underwent surgery to remove a broken hamate bone from his right hand, will make his 2018 Cactus League debut on Sunday against the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz.
Parra, who's heading into the final season of a three-year, $27.5 million contract, hit .309 with 10 home runs and 71 RBIs in 115 games last year. He missed 28 games with a right quadriceps injury. With right fielder Carlos González reportedly rejoining on a one-year contact, Parra figures to have most of his time in left field -- where he was a Rawlings Gold Glove Award finalist.
Since Parra, Gonzalez and center fielder Charlie Blackmon form an all left-handed-hitting outfield, there is the possibility of right-handed-hitting Ian Desmond playing right field on occasion, although first base could end up his primary position. Parra's ability to play all three outfield spots plus come off the bench as a defensive replacement increases his value.
"His persona, how he views the game, how he prepares for the game -- he has those attributes to be ready for that moment, when that moment arises," Rockies manager Bud Black said.
A sunny day turned Gary
Righty Jon Gray, fooling with a new changeup grip and trying to add some timing changes in his delivery, disappointed in 3 1/3 innings of Friday's 8-5 loss to the Indians. Gray gave up a two-run Yan Gomes homer in the first and a three-run Francisco Mejía shot in the third while being charged with six runs on six hits and two walks.
"Today was the first time I used a new changeup grip," Gray said. "It didn't go very good, but they weren't located, either. They have good location, I can tell, but they weren't in the right spot. Nothing was in the right spot today."

The Rockies haven't announced an Opening Day starter, but many clubs' projected Opening Day starters worked Friday -- 20 days before the regular season begins. The Indians' Corey Kluber fanned seven in 3 2/3 innings.
Position competition
• David Dahl -- competing for a reserve outfield spot -- launched a two-run shot off Neil Ramírez. It was his third spring homer. Dahl added an RBI single.

• Ryan McMahon, trying to show he can handle regular duty at first base, delivered one of the two hits off Kluber -- a solid single to center. He also doubled in the ninth.
• Lefty reliever Zac Rosscup entered with one out in the fourth after lefty Harrison Musgrave exited after being hit in the midsection by an Erik González liner. Rosscup threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, with two hits and two strikeouts. Rosscup is out of Minor League options and would have to be exposed to other clubs via waivers if the Rockies attempt to send him down.
• Righty Jairo Díaz had one strikeout against one walk and one hit in a scoreless inning.
Exploring the possibilities
Gonzalez's arrival means that unless there is an injury, several prized young outfielders are no longer competing for starting jobs. That means the Rockies must decide whether some of them are better off playing regularly at Triple-A Albuquerque. And it could mean some players who didn't figure into the starting conversation are more attractive as fifth outfielders.

The Major League roster spot could go to Dahl, Raimel Tapia or Mike Tauchman. But two others are having solid springs: left-handed hitting Jordan Patterson, hitting .265 with three doubles but 14 strikeouts; and right-handed hitting Noel Cuevas, who is 8-for-18 with two doubles and three RBIs.
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Patterson and Cuevas offer flexibility: Patterson is a corner outfielder who can play first base, while Cuevas can play all three outfield positions and would add a right-handed reserve bat.
Also being looked at seriously for a roster spot is right-handed-hitting infielder Daniel Castro, with righty-hitting Pat Valaika uncertain for Opening Day because of a left oblique injury and switch-hitting Shawn O'Malley expected to miss the start of the year with a fractured left hand.
Injury update
Righty Jeff Hoffman reported no news on the sore right shoulder that has kept him out since Feb. 27.
"I'm moving as slow as possible so that I get all the way back before I start throwing again," he said.
Signed up
The Rockies announced that they have reached one-year contracts for all 27 of their pre-arbitration players.
Up next
Lefty Tyler Anderson will start against the Brewers at Maryvale at 1:05 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on MLB.TV.