Chatwood (calf strain) throws live BP Friday

Rockies will be exploring top relievers available ahead of Deadline

July 22nd, 2017

DENVER -- Rockies right-hander , who suffered a right calf strain last Saturday against the Mets, threw two innings of live batting practice session on Friday. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Saturday.
Right-handed-hitting and lefty-hitting Tony Wolters swung against him. Chatwood (6-11, 4.74 ERA) threw a bullpen session Wednesday -- his first since the injury -- and progressed well enough to face hitters Friday.
"He did fine," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "He felt great. The ball was coming out fine. No issues with the calf. We'll chart the next course of action, but as far as physically, he's in a really positive spot, so we fell good about that. And so does Tyler."
Chatwood is eligible to return from the disabled list on Tuesday when the Rockies take on the Cardinals in the second of three games in St. Louis.
Black offered no update on left-hander , who underwent an arthroscopic cleanup on his left knee July 3, but general manager Jeff Bridich said this week he hopes Anderson is back sometime in August.

Rox explore relief market
The Rockies are being tight-lipped about the search for relief pitching, which ideally would net two late-inning arms. So here is some speculation.
Bridich and his staff is expected to take hard looks at pitchers who are closers on their current clubs, among them the Orioles' Zach Britton, the Tigers' and the Marlins' AJ Ramos.
The many teams looking at Britton, who is pitching well, want to be sure he is past a left forearm injury that caused him to miss almost two months this season, since he is making $11.4 million this season and is eligible for arbitration for 2018. But after a sweep of the Rangers, the Orioles may not be looking to sell. Wilson, also a lefty, is making $2.7 million and also is eligible for arbitration next year.
Ramos, making $6.55 million and eligible for arbitration next year, is one of multiple Marlins relievers believed to be available. The Rockies, however, disdain walks, and Ramos is at 4.8 per nine innings this year and was at 4.9 last year.
The asking price for a closer type could be one of the top infield prospects: middle infielder Brendan Rodgers (the Rockies' No. 1 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com), who is thought to be untouchable, or corner infielder Ryan McMahon (No. 4), who would be tough to relinquish.
Two classic rental relievers are the Mets' and the Phillies' Pat Neshek. Unlike the closers who have club control, Reed and Neshek have expiring contracts and may have teams asking for young prospects who don't have to be protected on the roster this winter.
One problem is teams not knowing whether they are in the race. For example, before the Pirates swept the Brewers this week, teams were planning to scout lefty Tony Watson and righty . The reports are being filed, but it's possible neither will be available.