DALLAS -- Bud Black was greeted by young pitching talent when he became the Rockies¡¯ manager in 2017, but he couldn¡¯t have predicted the rotation would turn the club from longtime also-rans to postseason teams in consecutive seasons.

Going into 2025, Black can¡¯t predict a similar result. But he can be excited.

The 2017 surprise came from pitchers Black had not seen. Going into 2025, after two seasons of triple figures in losses, any surprises will have to be fueled by Kyle Freeland, Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela -- pitchers Black has seen perform well but also struggle through injuries.

¡°That was a long time ago, when Freeland, M¨¢rquez and Senzatela were all rookies,¡± Black said Monday on the first day of Winter Meetings. ¡°They¡¯ve all evolved and changed in a lot of things, as you do to make adjustments. All of them have been through different types of injuries. I think they¡¯re ready to get back on the horse and be major contributors as starting pitchers.¡±

The trio sparked such excitement at the start of their careers that the Rockies signed all to lengthy contracts. Freeland and Senzatela are signed through 2026 with a club option for ¡®27. M¨¢rquez is entering the last year of his deal.

General manager Bill Schmidt knew the injury risks they came with.

¡°I¡¯d like to think we¡¯re on the back side of it now,¡± he said.

There were also encouraging signs from righty Ryan Feltner, who posted a 2.98 ERA over his final 15 starts. Lefty Austin Gomber saw his previous two seasons end early with back injuries, but in 2024 set a career high with 30 starts and achieved a career-low 2.07 walks per nine innings.

Then there are the prospects ¨C righty Chase Dollander (Rockies No. 2/MLB Pipeline No. 20) and lefties Sean Sullivan (Rockies No. 10) and Carson Palmquist (Rockies No. 14) ¨C who will be given a shot to compete for jobs this spring.

Let¡¯s look at the three longtime rotation members, whom folks may see with new eyes should they show up for the season with healthy arms:

Freeland: After entering last season believing he could make a forward leap, Freeland struggled to a 13.21 ERA through four starts and landed on the injured list with a left elbow strain. But after returning after an absence of 8 1/2 weeks, Freeland was effective more often than not, and posted a 3.40 ERA in his first 15 post-injury starts before tailing off at the end.

Freeland, 31, also has embraced a leadership role. Schmidt noted that Freeland and veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon have been lending their experience during workouts in Scottsdale, Ariz., with Rockies No. 3 prospect Zac Veen.

M¨¢rquez: After undergoing Tommy John right elbow surgery in 2023, M¨¢rquez returned for one game in July, but missed the rest of the season with a stress reaction in the elbow area. Healing has gone as planned.

¡°He was just in Denver this last week and he looks great physically; his upper body looked real strong,¡± Schmidt said. ¡°He felt good. He¡¯s throwing and feels good.¡±

Senzatela: Senzatela¡¯s Tommy John surgery in 2024 came on the heels of a left knee ACL surgery in ¡®23. Finally, he is no longer rehabbing. Senzatela also has relocated his offseason home from Orlando, Fla., to Scottsdale so he can work with Rockies staff at the training center.

¡°He¡¯s lean and looks good physically,¡± Schmidt said. ¡°He¡¯s in a good spot.¡±

Winter updates:

Veteran Austin Nola, 34, signed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, and will join the club to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. The Rockies currently have 2024 rookie Hunter Goodman and No. 8 prospect Drew Romo, who debuted late, on the 40-man Major League roster. The team also will take a look at Braxton Fulford, who turned 26 on Monday and is coming off a strong season at Double-A Hartford.

• The Rockies hope Kris Bryant ¨C who has spent most of his three years under a seven-year, $182 million contract battling injury ¨C can play some right field (more on the road than at home), designated hitter and first base when Michael Toglia gets a day off. Black and Schmidt said Bryant is doing well in his offseason program to strengthen his troublesome back.
• The Rockies are casting a wide net in their search for a starting second baseman to hold down the position while prospects Adael Amador (No. 5) and Ryan Ritter (No. 12) complete their development. The club also acknowledged that it has asked about Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, who was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball as expected on Monday.