CINCINNATI -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss announced that rookie right-hander Jon Gray will be activated from the 15-day disabled list and make his much-anticipated 2016 regular-season debut on Friday night against the Dodgers at Coors Field.
Gray -- the Rockies' top pitching prospect -- suffered an abdominal strain during Spring Training, and made two rehab starts at Class A Modesto to build his pitch count and find comfort with his pitches. After making nine starts last year under tight restrictions (0-2, 5.53 ERA), Gray -- as long as he stays healthy and effective -- will be turned loose. He threw 79 pitches in his last rehab start, so he joins the rotation capable of a pitch count near what the rest of the starters can deliver.
"Like everybody else, it's that level of consistency," Weiss said of Gray, the No. 3 overall Draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2013. "We've seen the stuff. He looks the part. He looks like the prototypical power pitcher. It's just a matter of sustaining that from start to start. There are a lot of good things that are in place with Jonny, and he's got a chance to give us a shot in the arm."
Worth noting
• Center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who went on the 15-day disabled list last Thursday with turf toe in his left foot, ramped up his activity Tuesday by playing catch, taking swings and doing light movements without his walking boot.
"It was the first time I had done anything, and it felt good," said Blackmon, who hopes to return as soon as he is eligible.
• Catcher Nick Hundley, eligible to return from the seven-day concussion disabled list on Friday, caught right-hander Tyler Chatwood's bullpen session Wednesday morning.