Battle lines update: Roster Set
Here’s how the Rockies roster looks for Opening Day:
Rotation
All 5 spots set
RH Aaron Cook
RH Ubaldo Jimenez
LH Franklin Morales
RH Jason Marquis
LH Jorge De La Rosa
Battles
Fifth spot
Morales won what began as a six-man showdown, beating out Greg Smith, Jason Hirsh, Greg Reynolds, Matt Belisle and Josh Fogg.
Bullpen
Set
RH Huston Street
RH Manny Corpas
RH Ryan Speier
RH Jason Grilli
RH Juan Morillo
LH Alan Embree
LH Glendon Rusch
Battles
Closer
Street was selected over Corpas, based in part on his efficency in the final weeks of the spring. He was unscored upon in seven of his final eight appearances, never needing more than 12 pitches in an inning.
Final Spot
Morillo beat out Matt Belisle, sort off. Morillo will be on the roster Opening Day in Arizona, but Belisle could be added by the April 10 home opener agaisnt Philadelphia. Belisle will pitch three innings in a minor league game on Sunday to stretch out. The idea is that after Franklin Morales starts Wednesday in Arizona, his next turn won’t be until April 21, also in Arizona. In the interim, the Rockies want Morales to stay on schedule so he could be sent to the minors to make his regular starts, and Belisle could be called up to provide an extra arm in the bullpen.
CATCHERS
Chris Iannetta
Yorvit Torrealba
Battles
This position was set before spring training opened.
INFIELD
1B Todd Helton
2B Clint Barmes
3B Garrett Atkins
SS Troy Tulowitzki
1B-2B-3B-LF-RF Jeff Baker
2B-3B-LF-RF Ian Stewart
2B-SS-3B Omar Quintanilla
Battles
Three contenders for what figured to be two jobs all made the team — Baker, Stewart and Quintanilla, pending a possible trade of Baker. That came at the expense of a fifth outfielder. Baker and Stewart, however, give the Rockies outfield flexibility, along with Barmes, who can also back up at shortstop or play center field in an emergency.
OUTFIELD
LF Seth Smith
CF Ryan Spilborghs
RF Brad Hawpe
OF Dexter Fowler
Battles
Fowler won battle for extra spot over Dan Ortmeier, Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Murton and Scott Podsednik. Murton and Gonzalez were optioned to the minors. Ortmeier is signed to a minor-league contract with no-opt out clause. Podsednik was released.
