SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — What was apparent nine days earlier was cemented Thursday when manager Jim Tracy named Esmil Rogers the Rockies’ No. 5 starter, completing the club’s rotation.
For all intents and purposes, Rogers won the job against the Cubs on March 15, working five scoreless innings while facing the minimum 15 batters. Though uneven at times this spring, the 25-year-old has outperformed John Maine, who will open the season in Triple-A, and Greg Reynolds, a candidate for the longman role in the bullpen.
“I told him that consistency is what gets you into a big-league rotation, and consistency is what keeps you in it,” Tracy said. “Where he takes it from here is up to him.”
Rogers has pitched better as a big-league reliever but prefers starting. He impressed the club with his offseason work, ranking as the top performer in the Dominican winter program.
“He did everything we asked,” said Rolando Fernandez, the club’s director of Latin operations.
That translated this spring with an improved changeup and better command (four walks in 19 innings). He’s likely to start either April 9 or 10 in Pittsburgh, following Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin and Jason Hammel in the rotation. Hammel will start April 5, but Tracy hasn’t decided if he will give Jimenez an extra day before his second outing, leaving Rogers’ debut uncertain.
“That’s nice for (Rogers). He’s earned this,” Jimenez said.
Reynolds was told he remains in the mix in the bullpen. With no need for a fifth starter for a week, the Rockies are expected to carry eight relievers when camp breaks next week. Reynolds is competing with left-hander Eric Stults, who threw two scoreless innings Thursday, and Matt Daley for the final spot.
“I feel like I have thrown well,” said Daley, who posted an 0.82 ERA last April, holding opponents to a .225 average.
If Reynolds doesn’t make the team, he will join the Triple-A rotation along with Maine and Clayton Mortensen. Maine pitched four innings against the Giants’ Triple-A team Thursday, allowing one earned run on 76 pitches. Maine’s surgically repaired shoulder has responded well this spring.
Maine signed a $1.3 million minor- league contract with a $200,000 guarantee.
He can opt out on June 1 if not on the 25-man roster.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
