TUCSON — In formalizing their rotation Wednesday, the Rockies became an episode of the Young and the Ageless. Electric rookie Franklin Morales and Mark Redman flip-flopped projected spots, leaving the veteran as the fourth starter and set to pitch the home opener April 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Redman’s experience and performance last season landed him a roster spot over Josh Towers, who was placed on waivers and can refuse a Triple-A assignment if he goes unclaimed.
“We have familiarity with Mark and he pitched well in important games for us,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said.
Redman, 34, went 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA for the Rockies, his fourth organization last season. He is a finesse pitcher who relies on an 83-mph cut fastball and sneaky changeup.
“He’s the perfect example of a guy who’s very smart and knows how to get outs,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said.
Manager Clint Hurdle aligned his staff based on rest and differing styles. Jeff Francis, who worked five solid innings in his final tune-up, will start opening day Monday in St. Louis, followed by Aaron Cook on Wednesday and Ubaldo Jimenez on Thursday. After Redman’s start, Francis will work Saturday on regular rest, with Morales making his season debut in the series finale against Arizona. Morales, 22, will prep for his start by throwing a final intrasquad game Monday in Tucson.
As the season progresses, Redman will be sandwiched between the hard-throwing Jimenez and Morales, by design.
“To do that with a guy like (Redman), who has a large volume of innings, is important,” Hurdle said. “It could be less taxing on the bullpen. And (with their styles), we can be on the gas, off the gas and then back on.”
None of the starters has pitched well this spring, other than Francis. He will face the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright at Busch Stadium.
“I think for the spring as a whole, I have a pretty good feeling,” Francis said.
The foursome behind him went 17-17 last season, and didn’t win a game last April.
“It’s a matter with both Morales and Jimenez if they will have enough aptitude to understand the adjustments they need to make during the course of the game,” O’Dowd said. “And this is a big year for Cookie, too. If he can step up, it takes an awful lot of pressure off the rest of the rotation.”
Staff writer Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
