SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- First baseman C.J. Cron ran hard so the Rockies and manager Bud Black could breathe a little easier.

Playing for the first time since March 14, when he was scratched because of back spasms, Cron beat out a second-inning grounder that Reds third baseman Matt Reynolds backhanded but didn’t have a play on at first base.

Sunday’s 7-5 split-squad loss at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick -- which featured the fifth home run of the spring for Elehuris Montero -- marked not only Cron’s return but the second game in two days for right fielder/designated hitter Charlie Blackmon, who also had missed considerable time with back soreness.

Cron, like Blackmon a few days ago, will have multiple at-bats in Minor League games on Monday.

“Health-wise, with those two guys back, it’s a little bit more confidence for the group,” Black said.

Bullpen decision
The final bullpen spot comes down to righties Gavin Hollowell, a reliever who skipped Triple-A to make six Major League appearances last season, and Connor Seabold, who has minimal starting experience (six with the Red Sox from 2021-22) but could be carried early to give the staff more time before deciding how to stretch him out to a starter’s pitch count.

It became a contest after Hollowell, 25, missed time this spring with back soreness. After pitching well initially upon his return, Hollowell gave up two runs (a Seby Zavala two-run homer) among three hits and a walk in one inning in Sunday’s 4-2 split-squad win over the White Sox. The Rockies have put Seabold, 27, in traditional relief situations recently in camp and will do so again Monday against the Brewers in Phoenix.

There’s an argument for each to be in the Majors now, but there’s also one for more Minor League development time.

On Seabold, Black said, “The starting pitching background gives him the pitchability to get on a Major League staff as a long man to give us innings. Good heartbeat, repeatable delivery, three-pitch mix.”

Hollowell’s traditional relief profile also could play since the Rockies have lefty Ty Blach to pitch in multiple roles, including long relief.

“I like the deception to his delivery,” Black said. “I like the stride length and where he releases the ball. It gets on hitters. He can spin the ball. I like the aggressive, attack mindset. He goes after you. A year ago, he was breaking with the Double-A team and this year he’s potentially making our team. It’s a big jump.”

Back to the grind
In his first outing since throwing three innings in Team USA’s loss to Japan in the World Baseball Classic championship game, Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland threw 68 pitches over 3 1/3 innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits against the Reds.

“Everything was coming out clean,” Freeland said. “I made a couple of adjustments on the mound to make sure I was staying back. I had the movement I wanted on all my pitches. I was pleased with the last outing [of Spring Training]. Obviously, you want one that was nice, clean, crisp going right into the season, but overall, I felt good with all my pitches.”

Freeland will start Friday’s second game of the season at San Diego, which means he will also start the home opener on April 6 against the Nationals. It will be a special day for Freeland, a Denver native whose Major League debut was a win over the Dodgers in his hometown in the 2017 home opener.