Morning Links: Rockies News 3/18

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There are less than two weeks to wait until the Colorado Rockies take the field against the Miami Marlins and play real baseball. The countdown is on, the roster is taking shape, and all is starting to feel right with the world once again.

It’s been mostly good news for the Rockies lately. Troy Tulowitzki was back on the field yesterday after a bruised calf kept him out for a few days. The players auditioning for the center field spot are showing nicely, potentially giving the team a number of options.The lineup is coming together, though we have arguably known how a couple spots were going to shake out from day one.

Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies:

From Patrick Saunders: Rockies’ Boone Logan takes big step toward being ready for opener (Denver Post)

"Logan, signed to a three-year, $16.5 million deal, is working his way back from surgery last October to remove bone chips and a bone spur from his left elbow. His next step is to pitch in a Cactus League game.‘As he started to warm up, he got his rhythm and got his timing,’ catcher Mike McKenry said. ‘He threw some really good sliders. Especially toward the end, they couldn’t sniff it.'”"

From Jim Caple: LaTroy Hawkins and Family (ESPN)

"When LaTroy Hawkins finally retires, Major League Baseball not only will be the lesser from his absence, the states of Arizona and Florida could see a drop in tourism. That’s because every year, an inner core of members of the LaTroy Hawkins Fan Club travel to spring training to support the reliever, wherever he’s playing and for whomever he’s pitching.”"

From Doug Gray: Spring Scouting: Colorado Rockies RHP Jonathan Gray (Grading on the Curve)

"Coming out of the draft, Gray sat in the mid 90′s and touched 100 MPH. He was a bit lower than that on this day with his four-seam fastball, only touching the mid 90′s with his fastball. The pitch shows good horizontal movement to go along with some rising action. His change up showed 3 inches of extra sink to it compared to his fastball.  His slider was tight and ranged from 81-86 MPH on this day.”"