Freeman embracing upcoming utility role in Spring Training debut

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Rockies utility player Tyler Freeman went back to work and immediately put his back to work with a first-inning RBI double in his first at-bat of the spring during Thursday afternoon’s 10-8 loss to the Brewers.

Freeman underwent an anti-inflammatory injection during the offseason for a low back strain, and he and the Rockies planned a slow buildup. On Thursday, he played right field, which was his primary position in the field last season.

In his first test, Freeman drove a double to right field against Brewers lefty Robert Gasser, then scored from third when Gasser picked Mickey Moniak off first base.

“I forgot how fun it was to put a uniform on and play on the field,” said Freeman, who joined the Rockies last year in a late-spring trade with the Guardians, and batted .281 with two home runs, 31 RBIs and 18 steals in 110 games – many of them as the Rockies’ leadoff hitter. “I didn’t have any issues.”

Freeman rejoins a Rockies position player group that, over the offseason, has been beefed up by outfielder Jake McCarthy, multipositional regular Willi Castro (fitting in at second base), and utility man Edouard Julien. Freeman ended up as a center fielder for the Guardians in 2024, but spent his first two seasons in Cleveland primarily on the left side of the infield. The Rockies see him in both the outfield and the infield, but will make sure he is fully healthy before allowing him to play on the infield dirt this spring.

“I played the infield and only the infield in my Minor League career, so I’ll be OK bouncing back into the infield whenever they call me,” Freeman said.

The club has kicked around the idea of Freeman playing some first base.

“The only game I’ve played at first base was Miguel Cabrera’s last game at Comerica Park in Detroit – I got an inning, and thought that was pretty good and memorable,” he said.

Finding his way
Trying to establish himself with the Rockies at the start of his one-year, $8 million contract, right-hander Michael Lorenzen has been sticking with the Rockies camp – even though his Team Italy squad is training for the World Baseball Classic at the Cubs’ Spring Training facility. He threw his most recent bullpen with the Italian squad, but has been mostly spending his days around Rockies camp.

While he has found himself at home, he hasn’t yet found his form. Lorenzen yielded a leadoff homer to the Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell on Thursday and gave up four runs on six hits and two walks, with two strikeouts.

“My changeup just wasn’t there, and obviously during Spring Training you’re trying to find the fix, so you’re forcing it,” said Lorenzen, who carries a 14.29 ERA through three Cactus League starts. “It got me behind in a ton of counts. During the season, I’m likely not going to force it. We’ll just move on to a different option.”

Lorenzen will welcome the increased intensity of the Classic.

“That’s a real game, so I’m not tinkering,” he said.

Rebound
Righty Ryan Feltner, who is in a contest with veteran Antonio Senzatela (who is with Team Venezuela prepping for the Classic) and second-year righty Chase Dollander for the fifth rotation spot, struggled and didn’t finish the first of his three innings Thursday, but was much better in his final two frames – allowing only two baserunners on a walk and a single.

“I saw the switch go on and he attacked the strike zone with intent, especially with the heater,” Schaeffer said. “He was getting ahead, and it seemed like he was aggressive, which was good.”

Your daily Ritter
Infielder/outfielder Ryan Ritter doubled off the top of the center-field wall in his first at-bat, finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles in Thursday’s game action, and is batting .478 (11-for-23) in his bid to make the Opening Day roster.

“He’s playing really well, every day – doing something solid, using his legs like he should, playing left field, third base, shortstop, second base,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “Good ABs, hitting the ball hard – he’s doing everything we’re asking of him.”