DENVER -- Left-handed reliever Mike Dunn's recovery from season-ending left shoulder surgery has gone well enough that the Rockies are cautiously optimistic he will be ready to open the season -- the last in his three-year, $19 million contract.
"Mike should be ready for Opening Day," Rockies manager Bud Black said Friday. "We will monitor him closely early in Spring Training. He's currently throwing off the mound and feeling good."
Dunn went 5-1 with a 4.47 ERA over 50 1/3 innings in a club-leading 68 appearances in 2017. But last season, Dunn injured the shoulder during offseason training and could not do his regular routine between outings. He was limited to 25 games -- none after July 3 -- and finished 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in 17 innings.
Dunn, who turns 34 on May 23, figures into a left-handed relief picture that also includes veterans Chris Rusin and Jake McGee and 2018 rookie Harrison Musgrave.
"Dunn looks great," Rockies bullpen coach Darren Holmes said. "Breaking with the team healthy is what we believe right now. He has shown no indications otherwise. We may start him at a little slower pace the first week, but it looks his arm is working as well as it did in 2016 or better."