Juan Nicasio really struggled on Friday against the Diamondbacks, giving up six runs on five hits and five walks over just 2 2/3 innings. Nicasio allowed two runs in the first and four in the third (including a two-run homer to Miguel Montero) before getting pulled. It was a surprising lack of control for Nicasio, who walked just 18 batters over 71 2/3 innings with the Rockies last year. We're expecting better results against the Padres next week.

Juan Nicasio was excellent in his first regular-season start since breaking his neck last August, holding the Astros to one run on five hits in seven innings of Colorado's 3-2 loss. Nicasio struck out four and walked one, and consistently reached the mid-90s with his fastball while throwing just 82 pitches. It was inspiring sight only eight months after his terrifying injury, and a promising outing coming off a dominant spring. He appears poised to be an asset in all formats.

Juan Nicasio's final exhibition tuneup didn't go well, as he was blasted for four runs on eight hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings Tuesday against the Mariners. He struck out three. One of the runs charged to Nicasio came home after he left, but there's no getting around the fact that it was a poor showing. But, he concludes the spring with a 3.90 ERA and 24/7 K/BB ratio over 27 2/3 innings and has looked like possibly the Rockies starter with the highest ceiling for 2012.

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes that Juan Nicasio has been "the Rockies' most dynamic pitcher in camp." Nicasio hit 97 mph on the radar gun during 5 2/3 solid innings Thursday. He boasts a 3.09 ERA and 21/5 K/BB ratio over 21 1/3 frames this spring. Nicasio's fastball will always be his bread and butter pitch, but manager Jim Tracy has been impressed with the improvement in the youngster's secondary offerings. "His changeup and slider (Thursday) were as good as we have seen this spring, so that was very encouraging," Tracy said. "He threw some great changeups. And his slider had some good depth to it." Nicasio is looking like a fine late-round option in mixed leagues.

Juan Nicasio pitched pretty well against the Indians Thursday, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. He was taken deep by Michael Brantley and Beau Mills, but thankfully both were solo shots. Nicasio has shown no ill effects this spring from the scary neck injury he suffered last season, posting a 3.09 ERA and 21/5 K/BB ratio over 21 1/3 frames. The 25-year-old right-hander holds sleeper appeal in mixed leagues this season.

Juan Nicasio allowed three runs on five hits and one walk in five innings of Monday's 4-3 win over the Angels. It was Nicasio's first semi-rough start in three Cactus League outings, but he was still just one frame away from a quality start. Nicasio has showed no ill effects from the broken neck that ended his 2011 thus far this spring, and has turned in an excellent 2.45 ERA to go along with a sparkling 9/1 K/BB ratio through 12 innings of work. He's locked into a rotation spot.

Juan Nicasio (neck) turned in a solid spring debut Friday, allowing just one unearned run on five hits in three innings of work against the A's. Excellent news for a player whose career appeared to be in danger following his scary August injury last season. Working "without restriction" this spring, Nicasio should open the year in the Rockies' rotation, and is worth a late-round flier in NL-only leagues.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Thursday that Juan Nicasio (neck) will have no restrictions this spring. It's wonderful news, just seven months after Nicasio fractured his C-1 vertebrae upon taking a line drive to the head. He was able to face live hitters without any mental or physical issues in early January and will compete for a spot in the Rockies' starting rotation this spring.

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.

Juan Nicasio (neck) is expected to begin facing batters in a controlled environment in January. Nicasio has recently begun throwing bullpen sessions, but he hasn't faced live hitters since fracturing his C-1 vertebrae after a taking a pitch off the side of his head in August. The 25-year-old right-hander is on track to be ready by spring training.