Close call: Rox could turn to in-house trio

DENVER — The Rockies’ closer for 2017 is not yet known, but chances are, he isn’t a stranger.

The Rockies continue to seek late-innings relief help through free agency, but they were a distant third when the Giants signed Mark Melancon for four years at $62 million, and they were a spectator as the Yankees signed Aroldis Chapman for five years and $86 million and the Dodgers re-signed Kenley Jansen for five years and $70 million.

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The Rockies have been linked to free-agent lefty Mike Dunn, a setup man with the Yankees and Marlins. Righty Brad Ziegler, with his experience in the National League West before joining the Red Sox last season, also has surfaced as a potential free-agent target. But neither is a closer, and unless there is a surprise signing, it’s likely the Rockies’ closer for the coming season could be familiar.

Who will it be? General manager Jeff Bridich figures everyone will know sometime around Opening Day, April 4 in Milwaukee.

“I don’t care,” Bridich said. “I don’t think it’s 100 percent necessary that we have a closer right now. There’s a lot of time to figure that out.”

The Rockies would be just fine if Adam Ottavino, who showed promise in the role before suffering a right elbow blowout in 2015, or Jake McGee, who had a few adventures but decent results at the start of last season before his left (push-off) knee gave way in June. When McGee was hurt, they went to rookie Carlos Estevez, who had some strong outings, ended up struggling but learned a lot overall during his fast ascent to the Majors.

As is the case with many small- to mid-market clubs that can afford to spend some — remember, the Rockies …

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