The Rockies might have a Chase Dollander problem originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Colorado Rockies seemed to have only one path forward with highly promising right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander for the 2026 MLB season.

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But instead, they’ve opened a door toward a plan that not many even knew was there.

Dollander is going to open the season in the Rockies’ bullpen.

The five starters for Colorado to begin the season are Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana, Tomoyuki Sugano and Ryan Feltner.

No, that’s not the most inspiring group that Dollander didn’t beat out.

The Rockies could make a case for trying to limit the overall innings on Dollander’s arm by using him out of the bullpen, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Somehow, he just didn’t earn a job.

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To be fair, Dollander was brutal in 2025. He went 2-12 in 21 starts with a 6.52 ERA.

On the road, though, Dollander had a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings.

It still seems like the Rockies benefit much more from giving Dollander a consistent role. Those veterans aren’t going to be around when a turnover potentially happens. It’s in Colorado’s best interests to figure out what Dollander’s future role is.

For now, though, they’ve sent him to the bullpen instead.

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