The Rockies will lean on veteran starters to start 2026, while the club’s hopeful ace-in-waiting bides his time in the bullpen.
Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer announced the club’s starting rotation on Sunday. Native southpaw Kyle Freeland will get his franchise-record fifth opening day start on Friday in Miami, as announced last week. After that, right-hander Michael Lorenzen, left-hander Jose Quintana, right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano and right-hander Ryan Feltner round out the rotation.
Right-hander Chase Dollander, the club’s first-round pick in 2023 who debuted last season, begins the season as a reliever. As a rookie, Dollander flashed signs of dominance, but also scuffled and posted a 6.52 ERA in 21 starts. He figures to be the first man into the rotation in the case of injury or poor performance over the first couple months.
Schaeffer also announced the position players on the opening day roster:
Catchers: Hunter Goodman, Brett Sullivan
Infielders: 1B T.J. Rumfield, 2B Edouard Julien, 3B Kyle Karros, SS Ezequiel Tovar, MIF Willi Castro, MIF Ryan Ritter
Outfielders: CF Brenton Doyle, LF Jordan Beck, RF Mickey Moniak, OF Jake McCarthy
There are no surprises among that group of positional players. Of note, Rumfield grabbed ahold of the vacant first base job with Kris Bryant again on the injured list with ongoing back issues. Rumfield, acquired by Colorado on Jan. 28 in a trade with the Yankees in exchange for right-hander Angel Chivilli, has hit .286 with a team-high four homers this spring.
One positional roster spot is to be determined this week, as utility Tyler Freeman has been hampered by a back injury during spring training. If he’s not ready for Friday, first baseman/outfielder Troy Johnston will likely take his place on the roster.
Decisions on the Rockies’ bullpen for the opening day roster beyond Dollander are expected on Monday, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding.
In addition to Schaeffer’s announcements, Colorado made several roster moves on Sunday. The Rockies optioned catcher Braxton Fulford to Triple-A Albuquerque and re-assigned infielder Nicky Lopez, left-hander Parker Mushinski and utility
Chad Stevens to minor-league camp. The club has 36 active players remaining in big-league camp, including four non-roster invitees.
Following the Rockies’ first road trip in Miami and Toronto, Colorado comes to Coors Field for its home opener on Friday, April 3, against the Phillies.
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