RHP Chad Bettis (testicular cancer) threw 25 pitches to right-handed hitter Pat Valaika and left-handed hitter Mike Tauchman in his first live batting practice session. He is scheduled for a second such session Friday and barring a setback could then be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment. "It's nice to be talking about mechanics instead of how my strength is, how my recovery is," Bettis said. "Mechanically, I felt good, threw a couple of curveballs where I just broke (my hands) too early and I spiked them, but overall I felt really good." Bettis threw a total of 63 pitches _ 30 warming up in the bullpen, eight warming up on the Coors Field mound and 25 to the two hitters. Manager Bud Black said, "He looked fine. The ball was coming out of his hand good. Good spin to the breaking ball. The changeup (had) good action. Things are lining up for Chad." Bettis was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had a testicle removed Nov. 29. He was told by doctors on Dec. 22 that the surgery was a success and he would not need radiation or chemotherapy and continued to prepare for spring training. However, during spring training, a checkup revealed the cancer had spread. Bettis left came March 20 to undergo chemotherapy and rejoined the Rockies on June 6.

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) will face hitters in a simulated game Tuesday for the first time as he continues his comeback from testicular cancer. Bettis said he was told he'll have 30 pitches to warm up before facing hitters and expects to then throw about 25 pitches. "It's a big step," Bettis said. "It's exciting to be so close (to beginning a minor league rehab assignment), honestly. I think everything's falling into place well. My strength and my lungs, being able to recover the way I am right now is big." On Nov. 29, Bettis underwent surgery to remove cancerous cells. He was told by doctors on Dec. 22 that the surgery was a success and he would not need radiation or chemotherapy and continued to prepare for spring training. However, during spring training, a checkup revealed the cancer had spread. Bettis left came March 20 to undergo chemotherapy and rejoined the Rockies on June 6. At the time, he said he was hopeful of returning to the Rockies rotation around the All-Star break. Bettis soon discovered that timetable was premature when he rejoined the team early last month. "Honestly, when I started this whole thing," Bettis said, "I ran those first agilities (drills), and I was like, 'All-Star break might be a little early.' "

RHP Chad Bettis continued to throw bullpen sessions as he rehabs from arm soreness. His return date has not been set as of yet.

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) threw 15 pitches, all fastballs, in a bullpen session Sunday. It was his first such session throwing 60 feet, 6 inches after two sessions with the catcher positioned in front of home plate. In November, Bettis underwent surgery for testicular cancer and began spring training without restrictions. But the cancer spread to his lymph nodes, causing Bettis to undergo chemotherapy treatments. He rejoined the Rockies on June 6. "He threw the ball very well," manager Bud Black said. "Delivery looked good. Arm action looked good. Very positive. Then he did his post-pen work without strength and conditioning guy. He's fine, so he just continues to progress. It's really, really good to see."

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) is scheduled to throw 15 pitches, all fastballs, in a bullpen session Sunday. Bettis has thrown 15- and 20-pitch bullpen sessions with the catcher postioned in front of the plate, but on Sunday the catcher will be behind the plate and so Bettis will be throwing from the standard distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session with the catcher positioned in front of home plate, three days after throwing 15 pitches in his first bullpen session with the catcher similarly postioned. Rockies bullpen coach Darren Holmes said, "He's been throwing. He's kept his arm going for most of the time (while undergoing chemotheraphy). It's just getting his endurance up."

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) rejoined the Rockies and hopes to be able to pitch for them by the All-Star break. Manager Bud Black said he was hoping Bettis would be able to return "maybe sometime in July." Bettis was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November and underwent surgery then. He went to spring training, thinking he was healthy enough to prepare for the season, but learned in March that cancer had been detected and he would have to undergo chemotherapy. "The strength is there," said Bettis, who threw on flat ground from about 60-75 feet. "It's much more the stamina. Going through the chemo, I realize what it can do to your lungs. I've got to get that back. I found myself a little bit short of breath today at the very end of throwing. But then again, with cardio, I'd bike about 5 miles and that first day, I was winded, I was gassed down in Arizona. I waited a day, did it again and my body adjusted and felt a lot better. It's something I need to understand where that mark is, don't get crazy and push the envelope, but at the same time get to that point where I'm able to build that lung capacity back."

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) is scheduled to undergo his final chemotherapy treatment Tuesday. There is no timeline for his return, but after undergoing some tests following that final treatment, Bettis, who has been playing catch, can get back into baseball activity. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery Nov. 29. He was told by doctors on Dec. 22 the surgery was a success and resumed an offseason throwing program that was close to his normal routine. Bettis was fully involved at the outset of spring training but in early March a checkup showed swollen lymph nodes, and a biopsy revealed the cancer had spread. Bettis, 28, went 14-8 with a 4.72 ERA last year and led the Rockies in win and innings pitched (186).

RHP Chad Bettis, who is living in the Phoenix area while undergoing chemotherapy treatments, is watching the games from the Rockies' dugout this weekend. He has watched every game on TV so far. He has seven more treatments scheduled, ending May 16; he hopes to pitch for the club sometime this season. On Friday, he threw long toss before the game and then met with teammates and coaches. "The support I've gotten has been unbelievable. It's been overwhelming with how much love, support and prayers I've gotten."As for pitching this season, "That's the hard thing for me. That is one of my goals, but I gotta wait and see."

RHP Chad Bettis, who is undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer, will see the Rockies on Friday when they begin a series at Arizona. He lives in the Phoenix area. Manager Bud Black, who spoke with Bettis on Sunday, said, "I'm looking forward to seeing Chad. He seems in a good spot mentally. He can't wait to see us; we can't wait to see him. He said he got a workout in. I'm not sure what that entailed, but he's doing some things that are keeping him as current and up to speed physically as he can, so that's a great sign."

RHP Chad Bettis (cancer) began chemotherapy March 20 and is expected to miss half the season, maybe more. Bettis had surgery for testicular cancer Nov. 29 and was told Dec. 22 the surgery was a success. Bettis resumed his preparation for spring training and made a Cactus League start March 5 but was soon told the cancer had spread, necessitating chemotherapy.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Chad Bettis will be sidelined indefinitely after revealing Friday that his testicular cancer has spread.Bettis said that he will soon begin chemotherapy after the cancer spread to his lymph nodes.The 27-year-old was stunned by the development as recent blood tests had displayed positive results."The bloodwork has been good since after my testes had been removed," Bettis said at a press conference. "That was kind of the weird thing about it. That's a little bit unusual. But (the testing) was something that we felt needed to be done. We wanted to know what was causing the growth in the lymph nodes. So we felt we were able to reach one and biopsy it. So we just went ahead and did that."It's unfortunate. It sucks, honestly. But it was something at the point in time, initially going through everything, that we (knew we) might have to go through this anyway. So the mindset was kind of always there, that I might have to go through a round of chemo initially. ... It... [More]

RHP Chad Bettis gave up one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings with three walks, two intentional, and five strikeouts. Bettis recorded his team-leading 17th quality start, and finished the season 14-8 with a 4.79 ERA -- 8-2, 4.44 at Coors Field. The Rockies won 16 of Bettis' final 20 starts since June 9, including his final 10 at Coors Field. During that 20-start stretch, Bettis was 10-3 with a 4.32 ERA. The Rockies went 21-11 in Bettis' starts this season.

RHP Chad Bettis will look to put the capper on one of the best home seasons in franchise history when he pitches Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Bettis will take a 7-2 record and 4.72 ERA at hitter-friendly Coors Field to the mound. Only six pitchers in Rockies history have ever won eight or more games at home in a season, and only 14 have had a season with better than a 4.72 ERA. Bettis is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in two career starts against the Brewers.

RHP Chad Bettis was tagged for seven runs (five earned) and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings Saturday. Bettis (13-8) walked four and struck out three. He is 0-2 with a 5.65 ERA in his two starts at Dodger Stadium this season. "I felt like I was behind every hitter," Bettis said. "It was pretty embarrassing. I've got to be better than that."

RHP Chad Bettis allowed five hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings to improve his record to 13-7. The Rockies are 15-3 in Bettis' past 18 starts, dating from June 9. He's 9-2 with a 4.27 ERA in that span.

RHP Chad Bettis had his streak of 14 straight scoreless innings snapped during the Padres' two-run sixth Sunday. It is the fifth-longest scoreless innings streak by a Rockies pitcher this season and the second-longest by a starting pitcher. Bettis pitched the first complete-game shutout of his career in his previous start. Bettis is 8-2 with a 4.27 ERA over his last 17 starts.

RHP Chad Bettis threw his first complete game, a two-hit shutout, with no walks, seven strikeouts. He got 15 outs on ground balls and did not allow a runner to reach third base while throwing 103 pitches, 73 strikes. It was the fifth two-hit shutout in Rockies history and second at Coors Field. Jeff Francis threw the other on July 24, 2006, against St. Louis. The last two-hit shutout by a Rockies pitcher was thrown on the road by Jason Marquis on June 30, 2009, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

RHP Chad Bettis became the team leader in wins with 11 as he won Sunday in Washington. "It was a fun day. Everything was working," he said. Rockies manager Walt Weiss was also pleased. "I really liked his changeup today," Weiss said of Bettis. "I always thought his changeup was a real good weapon. He used it well today. I thought he put it all together."

RHP Chad Bettis will start on Sunday in Washington in the series finale. He started at home against the Nationals on Aug. 16 in Denver as the Rockies won 6-2 in his first career start against Washington. Sunday will be his 27th start of the year and 16th on the road. He allowed two runs in two relief outings against the Nationals in 2014.