Gonzalez (knee) made his spring debut Monday against the Reds, manning right field and going 0-for-1 with a walk in his two at-bats. Gonzalez's surgically repaired left knee was put to test right away in the first inning, as he managed to flag down a hard liner by the Reds' Kristopher Negron without much trouble. The Rockies will likely take it easy this spring on Gonzalez, who hadn't played in a competitive game since Aug. 8 and has been undone by a variety of injuries over the last few seasons. Still, the upside with Gonzalez is readily apparent in the multiple 20-homer/20-steal campaigns he has on his resume, so if he can defy the odds and play close to a full schedule in 2015, he'll likely be able to justify his auction price or draft position.

Gonzalez (knee) will get the start and hit second in Monday's Cactus League game, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports. This was his anticipated return date after being limited at the start of camp as he rehabbed from knee surgery. Prospective owners will want to monitor his status over the coming weeks, particularly after spring training games to make sure there have been no setbacks.

Gonzalez (knee) could make his Cactus League the Reds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. Gonzalez had surgery on his knee last season, but appears to be on track for a return in the near future after participating in a workout Sunday. He could be in store for a good season in 2015 if he can remain healthy, but that has been his biggest challenge over the past few seasons.

Gonzalez (knee) ran the bases Monday and could play in games sooner than originally expected, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports. While Gonzalez won't play in the Grapefruit League opener, he could get into some spring training games sooner than later, and the Rockies remain hopeful that he will be ready to go for Opening Day.

Gonzalez (knee) is expected to begin running the bases next week, MLB.com reports. Gonzalez has been taking batting practice and sprinting without pain in his knee, and it sounds like he could run the bases early next week. Running the bases is always a big step for a player returning from injury, typically one of the final hurdles a player must clear before returning to game action. That said, manager Walt Weiss isn't in any hurry to return the 29-year-old to games and is instead focusing more on getting Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki (hip) ready for the start of the regular season.

Gonzalez (knee), who was on the field taking batting practice with his teammates Monday, recently told the Denver Post that his knee isn't bothering him at all. "I can put all my weight back, sit and wait for the ball something that I wasn't able to do last year," Gonzalez said. "It's my back knee, and it's really important to stay back. I have a leg kick, and last year I had a difficult time staying back on pitches." Much like teammate Troy Tulowitzki, Gonzalez won't play in Cactus League games until he's ready. Gonzalez is sprinting without pain, and the next step in his recovery will be running the bases and making sharp cuts in the outfield. Gonzalez was limited to 70 games last season before his season ended following left knee surgery.

Gonzalez (knee) will be allowed to change direction while running when spring training begins, MLB.com reports. Gonzalez was cleared for straight-ahead running and on-field batting practice earlier this week, and barring a setback, will be given the green light to cut on the knee next month. Rockies GM Jeff Bridich also revealed that Gonzalez's left index finger, from which a benign tumor was removed last June, has healed and that Gonzalez is throwing. All signs point to the 29-year-old being close to a full-go at the start of spring training, but manager Walt Weiss suggested Gonzalez won't see a lot of action in the Cactus League, especially early on.

Gonzalez (knee) will meet with a doctor Thursday and hopes to receive clearance to run and take on-field batting practice, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports. Gonzalez was cleared to resume hitting around Christmastime, but seems to have been limited to just taking at-bats in the cage thus far. With a positive report from his doctor, he'll be able to proceed to the next step in the recovery process. The Rockies believe that Gonzalez is progressing faster than anticipated from the injury and haven't ruled him out for being available for the start of spring training.

Gonzalez (knee) announced Wednesday that he's been cleared to resume hitting, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports. Things seem to be progressing positively for Gonzalez since undergoing surgery in August on the torn patella in his left knee, the third procedure he's underwent in the past year. The ongoing injury issues torpedoed Gonzalez's 2014 campaign and create plenty of doubt if he'll be able to reemerge as the annual 20-homer/20-steal threat he had been prior to last season. Though he's on track to be healthy by the end of spring training, Gonzalez will carry plenty of risk for fantasy owners who decide to cast their lot with him.

Gonzalez (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from hip surgery and Rockies manager Walt Weiss isn't ruling out the possibility of having his star outfielder available for the start of spring training. Speaking to reporters during a media session at the Winter Meetings, Weiss did not elaborate on the specifics of the original timetable for Gonzalez's return. The previous estimate suggested that Gonzalez might be close to 100 percent at the start of spring training, which may hold up if he continues to progress as expected.