While the attention went to the Rockies acquiring right-handed pitcher Jeremy Guthrie on Monday, the big news for the organization came out of the Dominican Republic.

Right-hander Juan Nicasio, who suffered a fractured neck when he was hit in the forehead by a line drive last August, has begun pitching in games at the Rockies facility in the Dominican Republic.

Nicasio threw 15 pitches in an intrasquad game Friday, the first time he has faced batters without a screen since he was carried off the mound at Coors Field last August. His fastball ranged from 91 to 96 miles per hour, and averaged 94 miles per hour.

Scouts in attendance said Nicasio showed no hesitation on his follow-through despite not having the protection of a screen.

Nicasio is among the candidates this spring for the Rockies rotation, and if all goes well he could fit into the No. 3 slot of the rotation, behind Guthrie and Jhoulys Chacin, and ahead of Guillermo Moscoso and Drew Pomeranz.