Juan Nicasio (neck) has begun facing live hitters in a controlled environment. "He's been throwing to hitters with an L screen (that provides protection)," said Rockies' director of Latin America operations Rolando Fernandez. "He's doing good." Nicasio suffered a fractured C-1 vertebrae when he took a line drive off the head last August. Barring any setbacks, the plan calls for him to begin throwing to hitters without a screen prior to spring training. He could be in the mix for a rotation spot if all goes well.