The Colorado Rockies announced their first roster moves of the spring, sending 16 players to their minor league camp including prospects Christian Friedrich and Hector Gomez.

Twelve pitchers, including just one with big league experience, will combine to pitch eight innings Monday for two teams in a Colorado Rockies an eight-inning game that will also feature young position players.

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.

Left-handed pitching prospect’s workload increases

Rockies place Colorado Springs pitcher Greg Smith on disabled list and send prospect Shane Lindsay out on rehab assignment.

Former Rockies pitcher loses spot in the Sky Sox’s rotation

Rogers pitches six hitless innings; Lindsay suffers forearm tightness

Upper back soreness sidelines Triple-A Colorado Springs pitcher

Struggles lead to roster decision

Behind Hi Corbett Field, where the Rockies play and practice, are five full diamonds where the minor leaguers work out and play their exhibition games. There is also a half field used mostly for catchers drills. Small sets of bleachers can be found at the full fields, four of which fan out from a central point like spokes on a wheel. There’s a wide-open-spaces feel like a city park, totally different from Hi Corbett.

Shane Lindsay, facing a very important season in what has been a sputtering career, has made the move to the bullpen and is expected to open the season relieving at Double-A Tulsa.

The Rockies announced Wednesday 21 players have agreed to one-year contracts with team.