Tucson – Tom Martin is hurt. Not cut. The Rockies left-hander landed on the disabled list Thursday with a strained left groin, a reflection of a bullpen that figures to continue evolving even as seven relievers were chosen to break camp.
The Rockies would like to add a veteran to complement setup man LaTroy Hawkins, an area they were unsuccessful in addressing this offseason when they failed to sign Chris Reitsma or Dan Kolb. Kolb, in camp with Pittsburgh, might be available today if he opts out of his contract.
The Rockies have expressed interest in Washington closer Chad Cordero, according to a major-league source. But Cordero is currently unavailable.
Colorado is moving forward with a blend of power, youth and concern in its bullpen. According to pitching coach Bob Apodaca, the bullpen sets up as follows in front of all-star closer Brian Fuentes: Hawkins, Jeremy Affeldt, Manny Corpas, Ramon Ramirez, Byung-Hyun Kim and Taylor Buchholz.
Martin said his injury “affected my stride in my delivery and I finally had to tell them.” The injury cleared a spot for Ramirez.
Like Hawkins, Corpas didn’t surrender a run this spring.
“He showed up good,” Apodaca said.
Hawkins’ signing prompted some gnashing of teeth, given his struggles in Baltimore last season. But Hawkins, the team’s most expensive free-agent addition at $3.5 million, turned in a terrific camp. White Sox slugger Jim Thome, a former rival when Hawkins played for the Minnesota Twins, praised Hawkins’ changeup, a pitch he had abandoned in recent years.
“I don’t even want to think about last season. I am not worried about critics,” Hawkins explained. “I know what I can do.”
Manager Clint Hurdle said he’s not concerned about having only two left-handers in the bullpen. Affeldt has struggled, posting a 5.63 ERA this spring, as has the right-handed Buchholz (7.36). Hurdle, however, likes his matchup possibilities.
“We are leaving with the best seven as far as I am concerned,” Hurdle said. “And I like the fact that our pitchers know that they have to go out and shut people up. We are always going to have to answer questions until we play better and win more.”
Footnotes
Hurdle will make his final roster decision today, selecting John Mabry, Ryan Spilborghs or Alexis Gomez for the 25th spot. Mabry is the favorite. … Concerns about poor weather for today’s exhibition game in Colorado Springs prompted the Rockies to keep starter Rodrigo Lopez in Tucson, along with the entire bullpen except for relievers Kim and Buchholz. They will work an inning each in a 10 a.m. camp game before returning to Colorado. Lopez is scheduled to throw between 60 and 65 pitches. … Catcher Yorvit Torrealba also will remain in Tucson to catch the staff. … Right fielder Brad Hawpe said that his sprained left ankle has “significantly improved” and that he could take batting practice as soon as today. … Jeff Francis finished strong, lowering his spring ERA to 4.23 with five shutout innings. Francis is considering his options regarding his five-day suspension, but is expected to make his first two scheduled starts without interruption.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
Boys of summer
Rockies’ opening-day roster, with two outfield cuts still to make:
INFIELDERS
No. Player B/T Ht Wt
27 Garrett Atkins R/R 6-3 215
1 Jamey Carroll R/R 5-9 170
17 Todd Helton L/L 6-2 210
7 Kazuo Matsui S/R 5-10 185
14 Troy Tulowitzki R/R 6-3 205
OUTFIELDERS
No. Player B/T Ht Wt
10 Jeff Baker R/R 6-2 220
44 Alexis Gomez L/L 6-2 180
11 Brad Hawpe L/L 6-3 205
5 Matt Holliday R/R 6-4 235
47 John Mabry L/R 6-4 210
19 Ryan Spilborghs R/R 6-1 190
3 Willy Taveras R/R 6-0 160
CATCHERS
No. Player B/T Ht Wt
20 Chris Iannetta R/R 6-0 225
8 Yorvit Torrealba R/R 5-11 200
PITCHERS
No. Player B/T Ht Wt
41 Jeremy Affeldt L/L 6-4 225
35 Taylor Buchholz R/R 6-4 220
28 Aaron Cook R/R 6-3 215
60 Manny Corpas R/R 6-3 170
37 Josh Fogg R/R 6-0 205
26 Jeff Francis L/L 6-5 205
40 Brian Fuentes L/L 6-4 230
32 LaTroy Hawkins R/R 6-5 215
48 Jason Hirsh R/R 6-8 250
49 Byung-Hyun Kim R/R 5-9 175
50 Brian Lawrence R/R 6-0 195
31 Rodrigo Lopez R/R 6-1 185
61 Ramon Ramirez R/R 5-11 190
