DENVER -- Rockies left-hander Jake McGee is excited for an opportunity to face his former Rays teammates.
Although he didn't get to pitch on Monday in the opener of the three-game set, he seems likely to have his name called, since four of the team's eight relievers pitched in the last two days.
McGee has played with eight of the 13 active Rays hitters, although four of Tampa Bay's five left-handed hitters -- shortstop Brad Miller, first baseman Logan Morrison, and outfielders Corey Dickerson and Oswaldo Arcía -- are new this season.
"It would be pretty cool to face any of them," said McGee said, who was acquired from Tampa Bay in January for Dickerson. "I faced Brandon Guyer in the Minor Leagues when he was with the Cubs in Double-A. Other than that, I haven't faced any of the guys I played with."
McGee faced some of the Rays during batting practice in Spring Training, but neither he nor the hitters were in top game shape. Even so, their familiarity still extends to McGee knowing how Rays hitters attack pitchers and the Rays knowing how McGee likes to attack hitters.
"I think it's kind of a coin flip," McGee said. "They might overthink the whole thing and think I'm throwing inside no matter what, and I throw outside."
Rockies manager Walt Weiss is still easing McGee back into a late-inning role as the veteran recovers from a sprained left MCL. McGee, who started the season as the Rockies' closer, has allowed runs in three of his six appearances since being activated from the 15-day disabled list.
Weiss didn't say how he would use McGee in this series, and he won't give him any special treatment against his former team.
"I had a conversation with him coming out of the break, just trying to get him back to who he is," Weiss said. "It's tough missing a month or so. He was throwing the ball really well right before that. We're trying to build him back up to that."
Worth noting
• Outfielder Gerardo Parra continues to wait out his sprained left ankle, an injury he sustained on June 14. Parra has been throwing but hasn't hit since taking batting practice in conjunction with Chris Rusin's July 10 simulated game.
"I'm just putting ice on it and relaxing for a couple days," Parra said. "I'm just waiting for the inflammation to go down. Maybe in two days I can start running again if I'm feeling good."