Melvin Mora’s career took a while to get going, but once it did he settled into a decade-long run as a regular in the Baltimore Orioles lineup. Now, as he prepares for a backup role with the Colorado Rockies at age 38, he has plenty of wisdom to share with his new teammates.

The Colorado Rockies farm system placed three prospects — all pitchers — on Baseball America’s annual Top 100 prospects list including last year’s No. 1 pick Tyler Matzek, who has yet to throw a regular-season pitch in the organization.

The Colorado Rockies enter 2010 with a bullpen that, like the team’s starting rotation, could be the most stable in franchise history. The late-innings trio returns intact while the rest of the bullpen will be comprised of 2009 holdovers, veterans returning from injuries and a pack of young arms trying to find a way to stick in the major leagues.

Five starting pitchers accounted for 155 of the Colorado Rockies’ 162 starts in 2009, unheard of stability for a franchise whose pitching staff at times has been one of baseball’s most tired jokes. The Rockies likely will see one change in their starting rotation in 2010, and that to welcome back an old friend.

Family matter forces Chuck Kniffin to leave convenient job he coveted with Colorado Springs.

The Colorado Rockies suffered another injury to their starting rotation but finished a sweep of the Reds to extend their wild-card lead to 4 1/2 games and climb to within two games of the division-leading Dodgers.

The Colorado Rockies added Jhoulys Chacin, Matt Belisle, Matt Murton and Mike McCoy to their roster. Adam Eaton was designated for assignment and Chris Nelson placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Belisle and McCoy on the 40-man roster.

Samuel Deduno named Texas League pitcher of the year, and Jordan Pacheco is MVP of the South Atlantic League.

Reliever Herges added to roster, Fogg and Eaton will work Wednesday when Cook’s turn next arises

Jhoulys Chacin joined with three other pitchers who pitched for the Rockies at one point this season to throw a no-hitter Tuesday at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Baseball America publishes its annual Best Tools issue

Demotion comes one day after Chacin struggles in his first start in the majors. Eaton can fill his spot in the bullpen, where Chacin would not have been available for a few days.