The Rockies made room on their opening-day roster for 3B/LF/2B Ian Stewart, who turned 24 on April 5 and has impact power, and speedy CF Dexter Fowler, 23, the team's best outfielder and a potential base-stealer even though he hasn't learned to use his speed. Both players are key parts of the Rockies' future.
PLAYER NEWS: --Rockies left-handed hitters are 5-for-7 against Arizona left-handed relievers through the first two games. Seth Smith and Ian Stewart are both 1-for-1, Brad Hawpe 1-for-2, and Todd Helton 2-for-3, including an RBI single off Doug Slaten in the eighth inning Tuesday.
--Ian Stewart, who went 3-for-7 as a pinch hitter last year, delivered a pinch RBI single in the eighth inning Tuesday.
--CF Dexter Fowler made his 2009 debut, coming into the game defensively in the bottom of the sixth, and then battled Jon Rauch for a walk to set up Todd Helton's RBI single with two out in the eighth.
--With LHP Doug Davis starting for Arizona on Wednesday, look for Yorvit Torrealba to start at catcher and Dexter Fowler in center field with Ryan Spilborghs moving to left field and Seth Smith coming out of the lineup. It also is likely 1B Todd Helton will have the day off with Jeff Baker getting the start. After Thursday's off day, Helton could then start Friday afternoon in the home opener against Philadelphia LHP Cole Hamels.
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.
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
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