PHOENIX -- Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds' 11 years of home runs, strikeouts and job searches have taught him when not to worry.
Reynolds, 33, is off to a powerful and patient start -- seven homers, a .317 batting average and a .374 on-base percentage going into Friday's series opener against the D-backs. And yes, Ian Desmond, signed to play first base under a five-year, $70 million contract, could make his Rockies debut as soon as Sunday after recovering from the broken hand he suffered in Spring Training.
The Rockies signed Desmond for many reasons, one being his versatility, with a history at shortstop and in center field. But Reynolds, who also is versatile, is hitting so well that sitting him would make little sense.
"When you're younger, you're like, 'Are they going to option me?' 'Am I on the bench?'" Reynolds said. "But for me, it's like, I want to make it harder for [manager Bud Black] to take me out of the lineup."
Reynolds said there is no tension with Desmond, who made seven plate appearances in an extended spring training game on Friday in Scottsdale and played more left field than first base.
"Me and Des, we both understand what's going on. He understands I'm doing well now, and he also knows he's going to be playing," Reynolds said. "Somebody's going to lose some at-bats. Luckily, we don't have to make those decisions."
Reynolds set a career high with a .365 on-base percentage in 2016, although he would have liked more power. He has multiple 30- and 40-homer seasons in his past, and he hit 14 last year in 118 games with the Rockies.
"Once you change your approach, it's more just having success with it and being able to stick to it," he said. "I'm still with that approach, but lifting a few more fly balls."
Worth noting
• Catcher Tom Murphy had a followup bone scan on his right forearm (hairline fracture) on Friday but doesn't expect the results until Monday. He isn't wearing the brace that has become so familiar, but he's not allowed to pick up a baseball or do much with his right hand.
"I've been able to write what I need to write, but I've learned to do just about everything else left-handed -- chopsticks, that sort of thing," Murphy said with a smile.
• Outfielder David Dahl, out since early Spring Training with a stress fracture of the sixth rib, took batting practice on Friday morning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and fielded balls in the outfield. There is no timetable for his return.