MESA, Ariz. — There was a time, not so long ago, when Chad Bettis was an emerging force in the Rockies’ starting rotation. That was before testicular cancer struck in 2017. And that was before mysterious finger blisters wrecked his 2018 season.

Now Bettis looks poised to pick up where he left off in 2016 when he won 16 of his final 20 starts. With a week left in spring training, he’s solidifying his spot as the Rockies’ fourth or fifth starter.

“I would like to say I’m a step ahead of where I was,” Bettis said. “When you’re out, for whatever reason, you have to look at ways to get better. I think I have done that. I hope so.

“So I’m comfortable in saying that I feel a lot better today, emotionally, mentally and physically, than where I was a year ago.”

His performance Sunday illustrates why manager Bud Black respects Bettis so much. The veteran right-hander avoided major trouble, despite giving up four hits and two walks, and held a potent Cubs’ lineup to one run over 4 ⅓ innings.

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“The thing about Chad is that he’s a clear thinker, has good in-game awareness and poise and has the weapons to get out of jams,” manager Bud Black said. “He’s got a moving fastball that he can get groundball outs with, and he’s got a really, really good change. And he’s got the little (cutter), and he’s got the slow curve.

“Most of all, he’s got a great idea of what he needs to do. I love that.”

Perhaps this is the year when good fortune finds the 29-year old right-hander.

In 2017, Bettis was limited to nine starts as he fought cancer, a battle that included chemotherapy after the disease spread to his lymph nodes. Last year, Bettis started well, with a 4-1 record and a 3.27 ERA on May 22 when he developed a blister on his right middle finger. He had never had a blister before, but the situation got worse. He had a second, more severe blister develop on July 1. When he finally came off the injured list, he was relegated to the bullpen for spot duty. He finished 5-2, with a 5.01 ERA in 27 games (20 starts).

Shortly after the Rockies’ season ended with a loss to Milwaukee in the National League Division Series, Bettis, intent on regaining a spot in the rotation, went to Driveline Baseball in Kent, Washington. He was joined there by relievers Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw, as well as bullpen coach Darren Holmes. Bettis used Driveline’s detailed video and statistical analysis to tweak his delivery and learn more about his mechanics. Related Articles Rockies Mailbag: Looking forward at Nolan Arenado, hands-on owner Dick Monfort, bullpen woes and more

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He had plans to incorporate a slider into his pitch mix during spring training, but he scrapped it in favor of his cut fastball.

“We went back to my cutter, because I have a good feel for it and I don’t have to work to manipulate it,” he said. “I know how to make it big or small and the right way to use it. The slider, I was working too hard for it.”

When Bettis broke into the majors in August 2013 his fastball averaged 94.2 mph. It was down to 91.1 last season, but Bettis believes his baseball wisdom makes up for his lost velocity.

“It all comes back to executing and making the right pitch at the right time,” he said. “And even if it’s the wrong pitch, if you execute it, there can be a good outcome there.”