DENVER -- Rockies manager Bud Black hopes that one day his young pitching staff can be reliable for years to come, much like the Astros' pitching staff.
Black mentioned Gerrit Cole, who earned the win in the Astros' 8-2 victory over the Rox on Tuesday, Justin Verlander and Charlie Morton, who the Rockies faced on Wednesday, as veteran pitchers the Rockies can learn from.
"They pitch aggressively with the fastball, they throw strikes, they attack the hitters," Black said. "Our guys are learning that. They're not to the service time that other pitchers have. My hope is that Rockies fans will see our guys for a long time, and see them continue to grow into the championship pitchers they think they can be."
That starts with getting pitchers in both the rotation and the bullpen healthy, as the Rockies vie for a postseason berth in the competitive National League West.
Right-hander Chad Bettis, who has been on the disabled list with a right middle finger blister since July 3, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and "looked good," Black said. The Rockies will continue to monitor Bettis for the next four or five days before sending him back to Triple-A Albuquerque to continue his rehab assignment.
In his last start for Albuquerque on Saturday, Bettis exited after four innings because the blister was bothering him again. Prior to his departure, he threw 70 pitches and gave up two runs on five hits, including one home run. He struck out four with no walks.
"Chad's doing good," Black said. "Playing catch, threw a bullpen today and I'll follow up with him. He's doing fine."
Left-hander Mike Dunn is also on the mend. He received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his left shoulder AC joint two weeks ago. Dunn, who was placed on the DL on July 7, had a checkup Tuesday and said everything looked good.
Dunn's hope is that he can start throwing a weighted ball on Monday and begin to build back strength.
"If we push through it now, it could counteract the whole thing," Dunn said. "We've just got to let the shot do its thing."
Left-hander Chris Rusin joined Bettis and Dunn when he was placed on the DL with left foot plantar faciitis before Tuesday's loss to the Astros. Left-hander Harrison Musgrave was reinstated on Tuesday, and Black hopes the lefty, who is 1-3 with a 4.76 ERA, will continue contributing in his rookie season after injuries set him back last year in the Minors.
"We felt he was on the radar last year," Black said. "He was very close to making our team last year out of Spring Training. So now, a year later, still the same pitcher, but healthy. He learned a lot last spring in big league camp. This year, we saw the same thing. A year of maturity, a year older and he's making contributions."