Scottsdale, Ariz. — The Rockies’ starting rotation for the opening week of the regular season is taking shape.
Sort of.
A lot depends on Eddie Butler’s quirky right shoulder.
The right-hander is throwing long toss Wednesday to test his shoulder. If it passes, Butler he would be in line to pitch on Saturday and then could be available to start next’s Wednesday’s game at Milwaukee — the third game of the regular season.
“He has a a good chance of pitching that third game — if he’s healthy,” manager Walt Weiss said Wednesday morning. “But that’s a big if. As we sit here today, that’s a really big if. I mean, he came out in the first inning of his last start.”
That was on Monday vs. the Cubs when he struggled and left the game with what the team called “shoulder fatigue.”
“It’s doing a lot better,” Butler said Wednesday. “We’ll see how I do today, but I’m hoping.”
The other two candidates for the open spot in the rotation are right-handers Christian Bergman and Chad Bettis.
Weiss did confirm that right-hander Jordan Lyles will start Game 2 in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Veteran right-hander Kyle Kendirck will start on opening day against the Brewers.
Lefty Tyler Matzek has been tabbed to start the Rockies’ home opener against the Cubs on April 10 at Coors Field.
The Rockies are likely to begin the season with a four-man rotation as lefty Jorge De La Rosa recovers from a strained left groin.
Tags: Chad Bettis, Christian Bergman, Eddie Butler, Jordan Lyles, Tyler Matzek, Walt Weiss
