Pitchers and catchers officially report for the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and will have their first workout on Monday. What should we be looking for among these groups of players?
At catcher, Chris Iannetta is gone, having been traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Tyler Chatwood. Ramon Hernandez signed a two-year deal with the Rockies and will be the Opening Day backstop. Behind him, Hernandez might have rookie Wilin Rosario as his backup ... or he might have Wil Nieves. Rosario, 23 on Feb. 23, tore his ACL in 2010, but made his way to the majors for a brief stint during the 2011 season. He had 11 hits in 57 plate appearances, including three home runs. He could start the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs if the team wants to wait a bit for him.
In the rotation, Jeremy Guthrie has become the favorite to be the Opening Day starter, moving Jhoulys Chacin down to the No. 2 slot. Chacin moved into the No. 1 role last season once Ubaldo Jimenez was traded and faltered. The team is looking for better fastball control from Chacin, who led the National League with 87 walks.
Behind Guthrie and Chacin, the rest of the rotation is up for grabs, though the next two spots are close to being lock. Drew Pomeranz, acquired in the Jimenez deal, should be the No. 3 starter while Juan Nicasio, recovered from a broken neck, is ready to go and should have no restrictions at all. The No. 5 spot includes pitchers such as Jamie Moyer, Esmil Rogers, Josh Outman and Alex White, but Guillermo Moscoso is the front-runner for the spot.
In the bullpen, Rafael Betancourt officially takes over as the closer with the trade of Huston Street to the San Diego Padres. Matt Lindstrom left (with Jason Hammel) for the Baltimore Orioles in the Jeremy Guthrie trade. Zach Putnam was acquired for Kevin Slowey at the end of January and could now find a spot in the Rockies' bullpen as a result of Lindstrom's departure.
Here is a full list of pitchers and catchers:
| Right-handed Pitchers | Left-handed Pitchers |
| Matt Belisle | Rex Brothers |
| Rafael Betancourt | Edwar Cabrera |
| Chad Bettis | Jorge De La Rosa |
| Jhoulys Chacin | Christian Friedrich |
| Tyler Chatwood | Jamie Moyer |
| Stephen Dodson | Josh Outman |
| Mike Ekstrom | Drew Pomeranz |
| Edgmer Escalona | Matt Reynolds |
| Joe Gardner | |
| Jeremy Guthrie | |
| Dustin Molleken | |
| Guillermo Moscoso | |
| Juan Nicasio | |
| Zach Putnam | Catchers |
| Josh Roenicke | Wilkin Castillo |
| Esmil Rogers | Lars Davis |
| Rob Scahill | Ramon Hernandez |
| Josh Sullivan | Matt McBride |
| Carlos Torres | Wil Nieves |
| Alex White | Wilin Rosario |
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