Morales overcomes tight groin in solid start

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales, competing for an open starting rotation spot, felt tightness in his left groin while starting Wednesday night's 9-6 victory over the Cubs but does not believe the injury will cost him time on the mound.

Morales said the groin became tight while issuing a walk to Darwin Barney in the top of the third, and he ran gingerly in the bottom of the inning when he doubled and later scored. But Morales went four innings and threw 69 pitches -- about what the Rockies planned -- and held the Cubs to one unearned run and one hit.

"It's going to be OK," Morales said. "The trainer said it's tight, but I didn't pull it. When I went out the last inning, I didn't feel anything."

Morales is competing with righty Jordan Lyles for the spot that opened because of Jhoulys Chacin's right shoulder strain and inflammation, which could keep him out until May.

Manager Walt Weiss, who also said he doesn't believe the groin will affect Morales before his next scheduled appearance, said Morales overthrew his fastball but adjusted.

"Those guys with big arms, they have a tendency to do that, because they feel like they can miss the bat," Weiss said. "The difference between Frankie now and when he was younger is he can keep it together and pitch his way through it."