Reliever Rafael Betancourt said he is scheduled to pitch one inning Saturday in a minor-league game and make appearances in three Cactus League games next week. Those outings will begin to lay the necessary groundwork so Betancourt can be ready to pitch in his customary set-up role when the Rockies open the regular season April 5 in Milwaukee.

Betancourt, who said he will pitch an inning Tuesday March 23, Thursday March 25 and Saturday March 27 against the Padres, Reds and White Sox. As luck would have it, those three exhibition games are at Hi Corbett Field, meaning Betancourt can get his needed game action without having to take a bus trip to the Phoenix area.

He has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game due to right shoulder inflammation. After Betancourt’s scheduled March 27 appearance against the White Sox, the Rockies will have seven exhibition games remaining.

In other injury news, left-handed reliever Randy Flores said X-rays on his left forearm were negative. He was hit there Wednesday with a line drive off the bat of Cleveland’s Chris Gimenez.

Left-handed reliever Jimmy Gobble, who left a game March 11 with a strained left groin, made 20 throws, all fastballs, Thursday from just in front of the pitching rubber to a catcher in a standing position. Gobble said he felt no pain and termed it “a good day.”

Also, Greg Reynolds could play light catch Saturday from 45-60 feet. He hasn’t thrown a ball since March 1 when he was hit with a line drive above the right elbow while throwing batting practice.