Colorado Rockies pitchers Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence are set to battle for the team's closer role in spring training. "We'll talk and as this spring progresses, those conversations will tighten up about role expectations," manager Bud Black said. Kinley saved five games down the stretch in September last year after returning from Tommy John surgery, while Lawrence had a career-high 11 saves in 2023. The Rockies probably aren't going to have a ton of save opportunities, so whoever is officially named the primary ninth-inning arm won't be all that attractive to fantasy managers and will almost certainly be on a short leash. The 29-year-old Lawrence should probably be considered the favorite for the role in Colorado for now.

The Colorado Rockies placed reliever Tyler Kinley (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with right elbow soreness and recalled right-hander Chad Smith from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Kinley has been one of the team's primary setup men this year, and he had a microscopic 0.75 ERA in 25 relief appearances. Along with Kinley, righty Alex Colome hadn't given up a run in 15 outings over 14 2/3 innings, while closer Daniel Bard entered Sunday's game with a 2.22 ERA and 12 saves. Smith had a 1.80 ERA in 18 appearances for Albuquerque, so the Rockies will be hoping he can step in for Kinley and be productive out of the bullpen.