RHP Taylor Buchholz will miss at least the first month of the season after being diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament early in spring training.

The Rockies have endured a losing April in four of the past five years and could use a fast start, or at least not an abysmal one. They play 11 of their first 14 games on the road this year with the home games against the World Series champion Phillies. The Rockies' April schedule includes nine home games and 11 on the road, where they play six games at Arizona (they won't see Chase Field again until Sept. 18), two at the Chicago Cubs and three at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

PLAYER NOTES:

--INF/OF Ian Stewart drew the start at second base in place of regular 2B Clint Barmes in an effort to get an additional left-handed bat in the lineup. "They have to understand the need for one another," manager Clint Hurdle said in reference to the 25-man roster. "They are all tied together."

--1B Todd Helton is third among active players in terms of consecutive opening-day starts with the same team. Helton made his 11th start in a row for the Rockies. Chipper Jones has started 15 in a row with Atlanta, and Derek Jeter 14 with the Yankees.

--2B Ian Stewart, CF Ryan Spilborghs and LF Seth Smith all made their first career opening-day starts. Spilborghs did, however, appear on opening day a year ago, coming off the bench. This was the first year Stewart and Smith have been on the opening-day roster.

--2B Ian Stewart had a game-tying single off Doug Slaten. The left-handed-hitting Stewart batted .370 against left-handers last year. His father is left-handed, and Stewart said he got used to facing left-handers by hitting against his father when he was growing up.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Aaron Cook

2. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez

3. LHP Franklin Morales

4. RHP Jason Marquis

5. LHP Jorge De La Rosa

BULLPEN:

RHP Huston Street (closer)

RHP Manuel Corpas

LHP Alan Embree

LHP Glendon Rusch

RHP Ryan Speier

RHP Jason Grilli

RHP Juan Morillo

LINEUP:

1. CF Ryan Spilborghs

2. SS Troy Tulowitzki

3. 1B Todd Helton

4. 3B Garrett Atkins

5. RF Brad Hawpe

6. C Chris Iannetta

7. LF Seth Smith

8. 2B Clint Barmes

RESERVES:

OF/INF Ian Stewart

INF/OF Jeff Baker

INF Omar Quintanilla

OF Dexter Fowler

C Yorvit Torrealba

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Taylor Buchholz (partial tear in right ulnar collateral ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He will miss at least the first month of the season. The Rockies are being very cautious with Buchholz, trying to make sure the partial tear doesn't become a full-blown one and require Tommy John surgery that would sideline Buchholz for about a year.

LHP Jeff Francis (left shoulder surgery in February 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He likely will miss the entire season. Recovery time ranges from six to 12 months, meaning it's possible Francis could pitch in September but not very likely.

3B Garrett Atkins (strained right groin) was slowed in late March, but he believes he'll be ready for the regular-season opener.