Colorado (6-9) wasted an early 4-0 lead, walked seven Padres batters, and lost, 9-5, at Petco Park. Four of the seven walks turned into runs.

Three consecutive losses to the Padres have erased the feel-good vibes from Colorado’s four-game winning streak.

Key moments: The Rockies led 4-3 in the fourth when starter Ryan Feltner gave up a one-out double to Miguel Andujar, a walk to Freddy Fermin, and a two-out, three-run home run to Ramon Laureano.

Colorado loaded the bases in the ninth, but San Diego super closer Jason Adam got Ezequiel Tovar to pop out to second, ending the game. Adam has yet to give up a run this season.

Who’s hot: Mickey Moniak, who started in right field and hit third, hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo homer in the third. He also drove in Ezequiel Tovar with a single in the eighth for his fourth home run of the night. Moniak has a team-leading four home runs.

Leadoff hitter and second baseman Edouard Julien is hitting .344 after a 2-for-3 night that included a solo home run and two walks.

Jordan Beck continues struggling at the plate (0 for 3, his average down to .103), but he made a sensational, running, leaping catch in left field to rob the Padres’ Nick Castellanos of a three-run homer in the first inning.

Who’s not: Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner was not sharp. He fell behind in counts, and it cost him, especially in the third inning when Manny Machado ambushed Feltner’s 3-0 fastball for a two-run homer. Feltner gave up seven hits and six runs over four innings as his ERA rose to 7.30.

Right-handed reliever Zach Agnos walked three straight batters — and walked in a run — in the sixth. He was charged with three runs (two earned) in 1 1/3 innings. His ERA rose to 7.56.

Worth noting: Right-hander German Marquez, the former Rockies All-Star, started for San Diego. The Rockies beat him up pretty good, hitting three homers, but he hung around for five innings and picked up the win.

Pitching probables

Sunday: LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30 ERA) at Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54), 2:10 p.m.

Monday: Off day

Tuesday: Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 9.00) at Astros TBD, 6:10 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM

It happened again Friday night in a 5-2 walk-off loss to the Padres. Gavin Sheets ripped a three-run home run to deep center off reliever Juan Mejia in the ninth.

On Thursday, Colorado lost 7-3 in 12 innings when Xander Bogaerts hit a walk-off grand slam off right-hander Valente Bellozo. The Rockies’ second straight gut-punch loss in San Diego took considerable shine off their recent four-game winning streak.

Key moments: Mejia entered the ninth with the game tied 2-2, but he gave up a leadoff single to Jackson Merrill and walked Manny Machado to put himself in deep trouble. Bogaerts flew out to deep right field for the first out, but Sheets destroyed Mejia’s 1-0 fastball to win the game.

Colorado tied the game, 2-2, in the eighth on a redemption hit by Jordan Beck. After getting picked off second base in the seventh, Beck came back to deliver. Still, he’s in a deep early-season slump, is hitting just .115.

Who’s hot:  Starter Tomoyuki Sugano pitched six innings, allowing just four hits and no walks. However, he did give up solo home runs to Sheets and Luis Campusano in the fifth when the Padres took a 2-0 lead. After three starts, the veteran right-hander owns a 2.16 ERA.

Who’s not: Third baseman Kyle Karros continues to scuffle at the plate. He went 0 for 3, dipping his average to .205.

Worth noting: Catcher Hunter Goodman, whose right middle finger was lacerated by a hit by pitch on Thursday night, did not start Friday. However, he came through with a pinch-hit single in the eighth to push across Colorado’s first run.

Pitching probables

Saturday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-0, 4.32 ERA) at Padres RHP German Marquez (1-1, 4.50), 6:40 p.m.

Sunday: Sunday: LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30) at Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54), 2:10 p.m.

Monday: Off day

Xander Bogaerts hit a walk-off grand slam off right-hander Valente Bellozo to win the extra-inning chess match and halt Colorado’s four-game winning streak.

With ghost runner Jake Cronenworth perched on third with one out, Colorado intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to load the bases, hoping to get a double play and send the game into the 13th inning. Instead, Bogaerts ripped Bellozo’s 1-0 sinker deep into the left-field seats.

Key moment: Aside from Bogaerts’ slam, the game’s tipping point came in the top of the 12th with ghost runner Willi Castro on third and one out. Brenton Doyle hit a hot shot to second baseman Jake Cronenworth, who made a perfect throw to nail Castro at home for the second out. Kyle Karros grounded out to short to end the inning.

Who’s hot: Doyle, who entered the game hitting .139, finally looked comfortable at the plate. He hit a 408-foot solo homer to center in the third to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. Doyle added a sharp single in the fifth.

Right-handed reliever Jimmy Herget, who started the game as an opener, pitched a perfect first inning. Through six appearances, Herget has a 1.29 ERA.

Right-hander Chase Dollander followed Herget and pitched 4 1/3 innings. He gave up one run in the third, but was charged with just four hits, while walking one and striking out three.

Who’s not: Castro, who got the start at third base, struck out five times in five at-bats, and his early-season average tumbled to .222.

Worth noting: Starting catcher Hunter Goodman left the game in the sixth inning after getting hit by a pitch. Goodman tried to stay in the game, but his finger was bleeding. Manager Warren Schaeffer said that although Goodman suffered a laceration to the right middle finger, X-rays were negative. The Rockies hope that Goodman won’t miss much time.

Pitching probables

Friday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 1.69) at Padres RHP Walker Beuhler (0-1, 9.45), 7:40 p.m.

Saturday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-0, 4.32) at Padres RHP German Marquez (1-1, 4.50), 6:40 p.m.

Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30) at Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54), 2:10 p.m.

Monday: Off day.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Playing push-the-envelope baseball, combined with solid pitching and timely hitting, the Rockies beat the Astros 9-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field to polish off the three-game sweep. Last season, en route to 119 losses, the Rockies managed one sweep, taking three games in Miami from June 2-4.

And get this: The heretofore swing-happy Rockies had more walks (nine) than strikeouts (seven) for the first time since July 1, 2024, vs. Milwaukee, when they walked five times and struck out four times.

“We are playing in a ballpark that is like no other, right?” said All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman, who smacked a bonus solo home run in the fourth inning. “So, getting guys on base and in scoring position is huge. We’ve been doing that. When you get guys on base, you are going to score a lot of runs here.”

The irony here is that Wednesday’s announced crowd was 15,189, marking the lowest home attendance in franchise history, excluding pandemic-affected seasons. The previous low crowd came on Monday night, with an announced crowd of 16,301.

Starter Michael Lorenzen rebounded from his debacle against the Phillies in last Friday’s home opener — nine runs allowed on 12 hits, including two homers over three innings — to turn in a quality start. He allowed one run on seven hits across 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four, walked two, and sliced his ERA from 14.73 to 9.00.

Lorenzen credited the Rockies’ pitching coaches and analytics team for the turnaround.

“We have some smart people here, and we all put our heads together and tried to figure it out,” he said. “I have a lot of good data from today that we can build off of. It’s not all there yet, but it’s a good, good start.”

Manager Warren Schaeffer said he never doubted that Lorenzen would produce. Colorado signed the veteran right-hander to a one-year, $8 million contract that includes a $9 million club option for 2027. The Rockies need him to deliver.

“He located better today, and he had all of his pitches working,” Schaeffer said. “He was getting ahead in counts. He was big for us today … saving our bullpen.”

Colorado’s five-run second inning was a prime example of the Go-Go Rox style of baseball that Schaeffer has been preaching since spring training.

“That (inning) was fundamentally sound, with sac bunts involved, base-hit bunts involved, and sac flies involved,” Schaeffer said. “We were taking our walks — some really, really tough walks today.

“That’s what we want to do. We want to pass the baton; we want to execute with runners on third with less than two outs. That was very good today.”

The Rockies sent 10 men to the plate in the second, beginning with a leadoff double by Troy Johnston. Included in the track meet were a two-run single by Edoward Julien, a bunt single by Brenton Doyle, an RBI double by Ezequiel Tovar, a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Freeman, a sacrifice fly by Mickey Moniak, three walks, and two stolen bases.

Julien, who’s taking over the leadoff spot, went 5 for 12 with four RBIs during the three-game set.

Lorenzen wasn’t the only pitcher to rebound on Wednesday. Right-hander reliever Zach Agnos, who had allowed 11 hits combined over his last two outings and owned a 12.27 ERA coming in, pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out two.

“It started with (Lorenezen) today, but I just went out there and attacked the zone today,” Agnos said. “Pitching, like hitting, can be contagious. People have picked me up plenty of times, so it was fun to be able to pick them up.”

His biggest moment came in the sixth inning when he relieved Lorenzen with two outs and the bases loaded. He got Christian Vasquez to ground out to third.

“With the way we are playing, you want to get in on the fun,” Agnos said.

The Rockies take their momentum on the road beginning Thursday night when they open a four-game series against the Padres in San Diego.

“The attitude of this club is, every day, no matter where we are, we want to play good baseball,” Schaeffer said. “We are not going to make it a thing and worry about the road as opposed to home. We are just going to go to San Diego tomorrow and try to play a really good baseball game.”

Rolling Rox

The Rockies won their fourth consecutive game and completed a three-game sweep of the Astros on Wednesday. Not a big deal for most teams, but it was for the Rockies, who:
• Captured their first sweep at Coors Field since May 10-12, 2024, vs. the Rangers.
• Won a home series in April. Last season, they didn’t want their first home series until taking two of three from the Twins on July 18-20.
• Improved to 6-6, the latest in the season they’ve been .500 since 2022, when they were 17-17 on May 15.
• Have won four straight games, matching their longest winning streak of 2025, which they did twice.

Pitching probables

Thursday: Rockies TBD (opener) at Padres RHP at RHP Randy Vasquez (1-0, 0.75 ERA), 7:40 p.m.

Friday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 1.69) at Padres RHP Walker Beuhler (0-1, 9.45), 7:40 p.m.

Saturday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-0, 4.32) at Padres RHP German Marquez (1-1, 4.50), 6:40 p.m.

Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30) at Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54), 2:10 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Short-term memory and mental toughness are prerequisites for a major league pitcher, particularly for one who must ply his trade at Coors Field.

Last Tuesday night in Toronto, the Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez scorched a 106 mph line drive back to the mound and off Feltner’s right hip.

I immediately recalled that chilling moment on May 13, 2023, at Coors Field when the Phillies’ Nick Castellanos hit a 92.7 mph comebacker. Feltner had just enough reaction time to dodge getting hit in the face, but the baseball struck Feltner in the back of his head, just above the right ear. He suffered a skull fracture and a major concussion.

I asked Feltner if that traumatic moment came roaring back when he got hit in Toronto.

“There wasn’t any thought of what happened before, none at all,” he said. ‘Once I got hit, I just wanted to make sure I had enough feeling in my leg to keep going. There was no association with what happened in 2023.”

Feltner finished the third inning in Toronto, but his right glute tightened up, and he was unable to continue. But the 29-year-old right-hander is fine and will make his scheduled start on Monday night against the Astros at Coors Field.

In those three innings vs. the Blue Jays, Feltner showed what he’s capable of. He allowed no runs, one walk, and struck out four. He mixed all six of his pitches: four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, sinker, sweeper and curveball. His strikeouts came via his fastball, slider, sinker and sweeper.

“He pitched awesome,” catcher Hunter Goodman said. “He had command of all of his pitches. That was the best I have seen him throw this year, including spring training. I’m excited for his next few outings. I think he can build momentum off those.”

Feltner did not have a great spring training — 9.65 ERA, 11 walks, 17 strikeouts over 16 innings — and his command was erratic. He barely beat out Chase Dollander for the fifth spot in the rotation.

“I think pitching in a regular major league game sharpens me up a little bit,” he explained. “It’s nice to be in the flow of a real game. I don’t look at spring training results, hardly at all. It’s about working on things. It’s about the process.”

Against the Blue Jays, Feltner looked very much like the pitcher who dominated hitters during the second half of the 2024 season. Over his last 15 starts, he posted a 2.98 ERA, the first Rockies starter with a sub-3.00 ERA through a 15-start span since German Marquez during his All-Star campaign in 2021.

The Rockies are waiting for Feltner to pitch like that again.

“He has what it takes to be an All-Star in this league,” new pitching coach Alon Leichman told me early in spring training. “He has some really cool pitches, and once he puts it all together, he will be a force in this league.”

Goodman concurred.

“I think you saw spurts of that the other night,” he said. “I 100% agree with Alon. I think it’s about Ryan taking that next step forward. It’s about being more in the attack mode instead of trying to be too fine. I think he did that well the other night. When he got to two strikes, he was putting guys away. I definitely think he has the stuff to be an All-Star.”

Manager Warren Schaeffer knows what he must see from Feltner.

“Baseball is a game of consistency,” Schaeffer said. “The greatest players are all consistent. ‘Felt’ needs to do exactly what he did the other night, in terms of his mentality. He was aggressive and got ahead in counts. That’s his formula. He knows that. He doesn’t need to change.

“It’s just a matter of putting it together, outing after outing, like big-league pitchers do.”

There is no question that Feltner has the want-to. Four months after fracturing his skull, he pitched five scoreless innings vs. the Padres in San Diego. Last season was a lost season due to back and shoulder injuries, but he revamped his offseason game plan to become a stronger pitcher and a better athlete.

Perhaps this season can be the season. 

“I think I’m in a good place,” he said. “I’m ready to put a full season together.”

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Is Zac Veen going to make the team? If so, will he play?

— Chris Haag, Cincinnati

Chris, you are not the only one asking about Veen. He’s an intriguing player because he was a first-round draft choice (No. 9 overall in 2020), and because he has prodigious power potential.

But Veen, 24, did not make the Opening Day roster for Friday’s game at Miami because he’s dealing with a knee injury that slowed him for much of spring training. Even if Veen had been healthy, I doubt he would have made the team. He has a lot of work to do to become a better outfielder, and he needs work as a hitter, too. There are a lot of holes in his swing. The hope is that he doesn’t turn into a strikeout machine like the departed Michael Toglia.

Like a lot of people, I’m rooting for Veen, who’s had to deal with a lot in his young life, including substance abuse issues.

I have been following the Rockies since their 2007 run to the World Series. What a ride that was. My younger stepson learned baseball at Coors Field. He saw Chris Iannetta hit a ninth-inning grand slam against the Houston Astros and has gone with me since. My question is this: What in the world does everyone see in Jordan Beck? I see a lot of strikeouts. I see an impossibly uncontrollable swing. His head turns completely on his shoulders. He cannot possibly see the ball after he swings. Yes, he has gotten better in the outfield on defense and has a really good, accurate arm. But at the plate? Please help me out here.

— Ari Nixon, Brush

Ari, I think the best word to describe Beck is “streaky.” But when he’s hot, he’s a force, so I understand why so many fans and members of the front office and coaching staff believe he has All-Star potential. Plus, you have to remember that Beck is only 24.

Consider this little statistical nugget: per OptaSTATS, Beck became the second player in major league history to have his first five home runs of a season all come in two days (April 24-25), joining Ty Cobb on May 5-6, 1925. Beck was also the first Rockie in history to have five home runs in any two-day span.

But also consider this: He opened the 2025 season with the Rockies but was quickly optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on April 7 after starting the season 3 for 20 (.150) over nine games.

And then there are his dramatic home/road splits. He slashed .303/.348/.466 with 18 doubles, three triples, eight home runs, and 36 RBIs in 76 games at home, while slashing .204/.280/.355 with nine doubles, three triples, eight home
runs and 17 RBIs in 72 road games.

Finally, Beck needs to cut down on the K’s. He struck out 80 times in 251 plate appearances in the second half last season, a 31.9 strikeout percentage that was the eighth highest in the majors post All-Star break.

I’m not as critical of Beck’s plate approach as you are. He wouldn’t have gotten this far without a decent approach. He still has a solid chance to be a very good big-league player.

For the first time in years, the Rockies have changed their front office personnel and incorporated new ways to play baseball and win games. Even if the new regime is successful (75-80 wins) and analytics take hold, how many years can we wait to consistently get .500 baseball? How far is the Rockies’ analytics department behind the league? I predict 75-87 (maybe my last prognostication). Cheers!

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, I salute your optimism. But 75-87 this season?! In the name of the late Harry Caray, “Holy Cow!” I don’t see it.

Like you, I applaud the Rockies’ willingness to change their process. It’s way past time. As far as consistent, .500 baseball? I would think 2028 would be reasonable.

Hi Patrick, I have enjoyed your insights for a long time for both baseball and football. I also enjoyed reading your dad’s articles for many years. The Rockies have historically done well developing Latin American players (Ubaldo Jimenez, German Marquez, Ezequiel Tovar, etc.). Are there any young Latin American players we should be looking for in the near future to make an impact? Why don’t I ever see the Rockies being named as a possible suitor in the Asian market? Both Japan and Korea have produced many quality MLB players in the last few years, but I never see the Rockies as a possible landing spot. Thanks.

— Gene Ryan, Green Valley, Ariz.

Ryan, thanks so much for the compliment and for remembering my dad, Dusty Saunders.

A quick, bittersweet anecdote about my dad, who was a big baseball fan. My dad died at age 90, almost four years ago. I was with him on the day he died, and I was watching a Rockies road game when he passed. In his eulogy, I joked that my dad woke up briefly, saw that the Rockies were getting rocked again, and said, “I can’t take it anymore.” Then he passed away.

OK, on to your question. The Rockies’ best Latin players right now are outfielder/second baseman Roldy Brito (Dominican Republic), outfielder Robert Calaz (Dominican), and third baseman/shortstop Wilder Dalis (Venezuela).  I think 2028 would be the earliest we see any of them in the big leagues.

As for the Rockies’ presence in Asia, they used to simply punt, believing they couldn’t compete. But Paul DePodesta, the new president of baseball operations, plans to change that.

“I absolutely think it’s important,” DePodesta said during baseball’s winter meetings in December. “We’ve talked about a necessity for us to be sort of active in every possible avenue to acquire talent. So whether it’s Latin America, whether it’s Asia, whether it’s the waiver wire, you have Major League free agent [and] trades. I mean all of it. I think we have to be actively involved in all of those to try to find some potential solutions for us. And so I do think that’s an area where we’ll probably ramp up our efforts to some degree.”

At this point, it is pretty obvious to everyone, including Kris Bryant and the bat boy, that he will never play baseball again. With the highest annual player salary on the team, you would think he would be inclined to initiate a contract renegotiation to provide some relief to our current payroll. Seems like I remember Todd Helton doing this, which was a pretty stand-up and classy move to help the team.

Do you think these discussions may be possible at all?

Looking forward to all your 2026 Rockies articles!

— Troy, the biggest Rockies fan in Virginia

Troy, thanks for reading. It’s very much appreciated.

You’re correct, Helton did defer part of his contract. In March 2010, Helton signed a two-year extension ($9.9 million 2012–13) that also reworked his 2011 salary and 2012 buyout, totaling $13.1 million in deferred money.

However, the Bryant situation is much different. Helton was still playing, and he was a Rockies icon, with deep ties to ownership. Bryant is not playing and is still owed $81 million over the next three seasons. Plus, Bryant’s agent is Scott Boras, one of the most powerful men in sports, and he’s going to get all of that money for his client.

At some point, a deal will likely be worked out. This is what I wrote last November:

“Retirement, with a financial agreement worked out with the Rockies, seems like the sensible course of action. It����ap what former Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg eventually did when he finally retired in April 2024. Strasburg, who had not pitched since June 9, 2022, is receiving all the remaining $105 million owed from his original seven-year, $245 million contract.

“His original contract was heavily deferred — $11.4 million annually, according to USA Today — with Strasburg scheduled to receive $26.5 million in 2027, ’28 and ’29. When Strasburg retired, the contract was restructured to spread out the deferrals further into the future.”

Who will be doing the Rockies radio broadcasts in 2026? On the spring training simulcasts, I thought I understood they were auditioning three possible partners with Jack Corrigan. Who employs them? Are the TV broadcasters the same as before? Thank you.

— Steve, Aurora

Steve, funny you should ask. I had just reached out to David Tepper, the program director at 850 KOA. He told me that it has not yet been decided who will work with Corrigan in the radio booth. For now, Corrigan will team with longtime producer Jesse Thomas when the Rockies open their season on Friday in Miami.

During spring training, the Rockies auditioned Zach Goodman (announcer for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles and son of Drew Goodman, the Rockies’ longtime TV play-by-play man), Albuquerque Isotopes announcer Josh Suchon, and Hartford Yard Goats announcer Jeff Dooley. I believe one of those three will join Corrigan.

KOA is looking to replace Jerry Schemmel, the longtime Colorado broadcaster, who was laid off for the second time by iHeartMedia last October. Schemmel now works as an ambassador and chief fundraiser for Best Day Ministries in downtown Longmont.

Do the Rockies have enough to win 50 or 60 games this season?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, you’re not a glass-half-full kind of guy, are you? At least not when it comes to the Rockies. They will be improved, so yes, they can win 60 games. In fact, my preseason prediction is a 60-102 record.

The Rockies added three veteran starters — Michael Lorenzen, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Jose Quintana — to stabilize a rotation that posted an all-time worst 6.65 ERA last season. A new front office, led by the president of baseball operations, Paul DePodesta, also added outfielder Jake McCarthy, second baseman Willi Castro, and first baseman TJ Rumfield, all of whom will likely start on Opening Day.

Here is the Rockies’ 26-man roster for Friday’s game vs. the Marlins in Miami:

Starting Rotation

LHP Kyle Freeland

Freeland, the longest-tenured Rockie on the roster and a clubhouse leader, faces a critical season. The Denver native is entering what could be the final year of his contract, so he needs a solid season, not only for the team’s rebuild but for his own future. The lefty was 5-17 with a 4.98 ERA last season.

Key 2025 number: 14. Number of quality starts, most on the team. Freeland was 5-4 with a 2.65 ERA in those starts.

Worth noting: Freeland must pitch 170 innings this season to trigger his $17 million vesting option with Colorado.

RHP Tomoyuki Sugano

The Rockies signed the 36-year-old veteran to bring a veteran presence to the rotation. During his legendary career in Japan, he was known for his durability. He made 30 starts for Baltimore last season, his first in the majors, while posting a 4.64 ERA.

Key 2025 number: 33. Home runs he gave up last season with the Orioles, the most in the American League. How is that going to play at Coors Field?

Worth noting: Sugano pitched 12 seasons for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball, where he won two Sawamura Awards (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award) in 2017 and 2018, and three MVP Awards in 2014, 2020 and 2024.

LHP Jose Quintana

He’s 37, but he’s crafty and considered a clubhouse leader. That’s why the Rockies signed him to a one-year $6 million contract in hopes he can improve a shaky rotation.

Key 2025 number: 3.96. His ERA across 24 starts for Milwaukee, which helped the Brewers post the best regular-season record in the majors.

Worth noting: Since 2022, the lefty has a 3.53 ERA that ranks in the top 40 among any pitcher with at least 300 innings over the last four seasons.

RHP Michael Lorenzen

The 34-year-old journeyman was Colorado’s biggest offseason expenditure, signing a free-agent deal that pays him $8 million this season and includes a club option worth $9 million in 2027. He’s the poster boy for Colorado’s plan to have its pitchers expand their repertoires. According to Lorenzen, he throws eight different pitches: three different fastballs, two kinds of changeups, a slider, a sweeper, and a curve.

Key 2025 number: 8.1. Strikeouts per nine innings last season with Kansas City, a career high.

Worth noting: He threw a no-hitter for the Phillies against the Nationals on August 9, 2023, walking four and striking out five.

RHP Ryan Feltner

The Rockies have long believed that Feltner has the stuff to dominate hitters. New pitching coach Alon Leichman says the right-hander has All-Star potential. But Feltner must stay healthy and needs to command his pitches better than he did in spring training.

Key 2025 number: 30.1. Big-league innings pitched last season, when injuries limited Feltner to just six starts.

Worth noting: In 2024, Feltner posted a 2.98 ERA over his last 15 starts, the first Rockies starter with a sub-3.00 ERA in a 15-start span since German Marquez during his All-Star campaign in 2021.

Bullpen

RHP Victor Vodnik

The right-hander throws hard (98.7 mph fastball) and attacks hitters. The Rockies love that about him, even if they aren’t going to start the season with a designated closer. Vodnik had some ups and downs last season, but he posted a 1.07 ERA with eight saves in nine opportunities over his final 17 appearances.

Key 2025 number: 10. Saves last season in 15 opportunities.

Worth noting: Posted a 1.33 ERA in 26 games at Coors Field last season, the lowest home ERA in franchise history (minimum 25 innings pitched).

RHP Zach Agnos

The Rockies expect big things from the right-hander in his second season. He had a terrific spring training, posting a 0.82 WHIP as he pounded the strike zone.

Key 2025 number: 12.33. ERA over his final 16 appearances as he battled an elbow injury.

Worth noting: Was 4 for 4 in save opportunities last season, becoming the first player in franchise history to record a save in his first four career save opportunities.

RHP Jimmy Herget

The veteran with the unique delivery was Colorado’s best pitcher last season. His 2.48 ERA was the 10th-lowest by a reliever in franchise history, the lowest since Daniel Bard’s 1.79 ERA in 2022. Herget could play several roles this season, including opener or piggyback reliever if the Rockies use that strategy.

Key 2025 number: 1.67. Road ERA in 31 appearances was the fourth-lowest among all relievers (minimum 30 innings pitched).

Worth noting: Rob Friedman, an analyst who runs The Pitching Ninja website, nicknamed Herget “The Human Glitch.”

LHP Brennan Bernardino

Desperate for a left-hander in the bullpen, the Rockies acquired Bernardino from the Red Sox in exchange for outfield prospect Braiden Ward. Bernardino, 34, put up a solid 3.14 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 55 outings last year. Opponents hit just .205 against him.

Key 2025 number: 4.5. Walks per nine innings last season, a high number that would haunt him at Coors Field.

Worth noting: During his early years in the minors, Bernardino worked as a Lyft driver, warehouse stocker, and construction laborer to supplement his income.

RHP Jaden Hill

He made the team when hard-throwing right-hander Seth Halvorsen was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs late in spring training. Hill made his debut last season and fared well, posting a 3.38 ERA in 28 games.

Key 2025 number: 5.28. His ERA at Coors Field in 15 appearances vs. a 1.19 ERA in 13 appearances on the road.

Worth noting: Hill worked overtime on his slider during spring training, a pitch he needs to be more effective vs. left-handed hitters.

RHP Chase Dollander

The right-hander’s erratic spring training landed him in the bullpen to begin the season. Still, he has the biggest upside of any Rockies pitcher since Ubaldo Jimenez, despite major growing pains last season as a rookie when he was 2-12 with a 6.52 ERA.

Key 2025 number: 9.98. His ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field, including 12 home runs served up in 51 innings.

Worth noting: The right-hander’s four-seam fastball averaged 97.8 mph last season, ranking in the top 6% in the majors.

RHP Juan Mejia

Started last season with Triple-A Albuquerque and was promoted to the Rockies on April 24. He impressed Colorado’s staff, especially manager Warren Schaeffer, with his sharp fastball-slider combination.

Key 2025 number: 3.96. His ERA over 55 big-league appearances. Not bad for a rookie reliever.

Worth noting: Pitched 33 consecutive outings without allowing a home run (June 11-Aug. 31), the longest streak for a Rockies reliever since Justin Lawrence’s 37-game stretch in 2023.

RHP Antonio Senzatela

The veteran right-hander started last season as a starter but finished in the bullpen after hitters continually feasted on his fastball. The Rockies worked to expand his repertoire this spring.

Key 2025 number: .347. Opponents’ average against Senzatela, which was the highest in the majors last season.

Worth noting: Senzatela will make $12 million this season, and there is a $14 million club option for 2027.

Catcher

Hunter Goodman

Colorado’s lone All-Star last season wants to keep raking, but he also wants to improve his skills behind the plate. His 31 home runs, 150 hits, 64 extra-base hits, and 91 RBIs were all the most by a Rockies’ primary catcher in a single season in franchise history.

Key 2025 number: Seven. Home runs hit in the ninth inning last season, the second most in the majors behind Seattle star Cal Raleigh (eight).

Worth noting: Last season, Goodman was the first NL catcher to hit 30 home runs in a season since the Braves’ Javy Lopez hit 43 in 2003.

Brett Sullivan

The 32-year-old has played in just 43 big-league games, including three with Pittsburgh last season, with a slash line of .204/.250/.291. But the Rockies like his defense, so they picked him over Braxton Fulford as the backup catcher.

Key 2025 number: .167. His batting average in three games with the Pirates.

Worth noting: He’s out of options, so he’ll need to stick on the major league roster or be exposed to waivers.

First base

TJ Rumfield

Acquired from the Yankees in an offseason trade for reliever Angel Chivilli, Rumfield will likely make his major league debut on Friday. Rumfield posted above-average numbers at every stop in the minors, including his nearly two full seasons in Triple-A.

Key 2025 number: 16. Home runs hit last season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Worth noting: The left-handed hitter went unselected in last December’s Rule 5 draft.

Troy Johnston

The Rockies claimed the 28-year-old left-hander off waivers from the Marlins in November after he hit .277 with four homers in 44 games. At Triple-A Jacksonville, he slashed 252/.333/.439, with 12 homers, over 84 games.

Key 2025 number: 108. Innings he played at first base last season — without making an error.

Worth noting: In 2023, he was the Marlins’ minor league player of the year.

Second base

Willi Castro

Signed to a two-year, $12.8 million deal in January, he provides Colorado with infield versatility because he can play second, third and shortstop, as well as all three outfield positions. He was an All-Star with the Twins in 2024.

Key 2025 number: .226. Batting average last season with the Cubs, a big step down from his .244 career average.

Worth noting: Castro, a switch-hitter, has good speed and the Rockies hope he can help spark their running game.

Edouard Julien

Acquired in a trade with Minnesota, Julien can play both first and second base. He’s hoping to regain the magic of this 2023 rookie season with the Twins when he posted a .263/.381/.459 slash line with 16 home runs. Since then, however, Julien has struggled, producing a .623 OPS over 509 plate appearances from 2024-25.

Key 2025 number: .220. His batting average with the Twins last season when he played in only 64 games.

Worth noting: Julien, who was born in Quebec, played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

Third base

Kyle Karros

Many, including Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer, believe Castro can be a Gold Glove third baseman. However, he has work to do at the plate. In 43 games as a rookie last season, Karros slashed .226/.308/.277 with four doubles, just one home run, and nine RBIs.

Key 2025 number: .306. Average in 16 Triple-A games last season before his promotion to the Rockies.

Worth noting: He’s the son of Eric Karros, who played 14 seasons in the majors, most of them with the Dodgers. Eric had a career .268 batting average and slugged 284 homers.

Shortstop

Ezequiel Tovar

A Gold Glove winner in 2024, Tovar suffered from hip and oblique injuries during a disappointing 2025 season. He’s primed for a comeback season and is Colorado’s best position player.

Key 2025 number: 95. Number of games played last season, hitting .253 with nine home runs.

Worth noting: Tovar was outstanding for the Venezuelan team that won the WBC. In six games, he hit .471 (8 for 17) with three doubles and two steals.

Left field

Jake McCarthy

Seeking speed and versatility, Colorado acquired McCarthy from the Diamondbacks in January for minor league right-hander Josh Grosz. The left-handed-hitting McCarthy, 28, slashed .260/.324/.381 with 24 home runs and 83 steals across five seasons with Arizona.

Key 2025 number: .204. Big-league average last season that included just four home runs and 20 RBIs. He played 49 games at Triple-A Reno, where he batted .314.

Worth noting: According to Statcast, McCarthy ranks in the 99th percentile in sprint speed in the majors.

Center field

Brenton Doyle

In 2023-24, he became the first outfielder in National League history to win a Gold Glove in his first two major league seasons. But he had a difficult 2025 season offensively when he hit just .233 with 15 home runs.

Key 2025 number: .344. Batting average, including seven home runs and 22 RBIs in August.

Worth noting: Hit just .193 (53-for-274) over 71 games entering July last season.

Right field

Jordan Beck

Beck seems primed for a breakout season as he moves from left field to right field. Last season, he was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on April 7 after starting the season 3-for-20 (.150) over nine games, but was recalled on April 19 and put together a solid .258/.416/.732 slash line and 16 home runs.

Key 2025 number: 19. Stolen bases, most on the club.

Worth noting: He had 12 outfield assists last season, the second-most in the majors and tied for the third-most outfield assists in a single season by a Colorado outfielder since 2007.

Designated hitter/right fielder

Mickey Moniak

Signed by Colorado just a day before the 2025 season opener, Moniak had a breakout year, setting career highs in games (135), runs (62), hits (117), triples (eight), home runs (24), RBIs (68) and stolen bases (nine). He’ll be counted on to spark Colorado’s offense.

Key 2025 number: Four. Consecutive games in which he homered, from Sept. 14-18. He became the first Rockie to homer in four straight since Ryan McMahon from May 26-29, 2023.

Worth noting: Was selected first overall by the Phillies in the 2016 MLB draft.

Bench/Utility

Ryan Ritter

Last year, after mashing at Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque, Ritter got his big-league call-up on June 6 and batted .241/.296/.337 in 60 games with nine doubles, three triples, and one home run. He played mostly second base with occasional stints at shortstop.

Key 2025 number: .206. His batting average on the road in 24 games. Like most of his teammates, he was a much better hitter at Coors Field, where he hit .261 in 36 games.

Worth noting: Ritter got some playing time in left field during spring training, adding to his versatility.

That’s a big change for the cerebral right-hander, who’ll be counted on to return from injuries and provide stability to a rebuilt rotation coming off the worst season in major league history.

“He has what it takes to be an All-Star in this league,” new Rockies pitching coach Alon Leichman said Wednesday, a day before pitchers and catchers were scheduled to hold their first official workout of spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona. “He has some really cool pitches, and once he puts it all together, he will be a force in this league.”

Rockies’ starting rotation competition bolstered by three veteran free agents

But "putting it all together" has been a challenge for the 29-year-old Feltner, whose career has been derailed by injuries and subsequent rehab stints. Those injuries overshadowed the second half of his 2024 season when he was one of the best pitchers in the National League.

Showing excellent command with all of his pitches, he finished the season with a 2.98 ERA over his last 15 starts, the first Rockies starter with a sub-3.00 ERA through a 15-start span since German Marquez during his All-Star campaign in 2021. Across five starts in September, Feltner posted a 1.78 ERA, walking 10 and fanning 23.

Back to basics at the gym

Feltner is the thinking man's pitcher. In 2023, when Feltner was working his way back from the fractured skull suffered on a horrific comebacker to the mound, he turned to his artistic side as part of therapy. He created vivid, abstract paintings.

But this winter, Feltner went Paleolithic. As he worked his way back from back and shoulder injuries that wiped out most of his 2025, he packed away his easel and paint brushes and picked up the dumbbells.

"Painting probably would have been good for me, but I took my anger out in the weight room this offseason," Feltner said with a laugh. "I went a little more caveman."

Feltner, a Florida native, spent his offseason living in a small Quonset hut-style home next to the Intracoastal Waterway in South Florida.

"It was small and pretty shabby," Feltner said. "But it was OK. I knew I wasn't going to be at home much. I knew I was going to be at the gym doing PT, weight training and throwing. I kind of went back to my roots. That was kind of my therapy."

Feltner's routine was pretty simple. He got up, made breakfast, and walked over to the water.

"Then I'd spend the next six hours at the gym," he said.

He trained under the watchful eye of Eric Schoenberg, a personal trainer at the in Palm Beach Gardens. The goal was not simply to make Feltner physically stronger, but to understand how his body moved and what he needed to do to stay on the mound and pitch at a high level for a full season.

"We wanted to find out, 'What happens to my body after so many starts? This gets tight, that gets tight. Why? This gets out of whack. Why is that?' " Feltner explained. "I feel like we put our finger on a bunch of things. Plus, we did a lot of the traditional strength training stuff, which I did a ton of, so I put on some muscle."

Added Leichman: "He worked hard and got himself ready. He's put himself in a good spot."

Moving past a frustrating 2025

Feltner doesn't like looking back on the 2025 season, when he mostly watched from the trainer's room while Colorado lost 119 games. He hates talking about it, saying that his interview with The Denver Post might be his final word on '25.

"Last year was the most frustrating of my career, for sure," he said. "Once this spring training kicks off, this might be the last time I talk to anybody about all of this stuff."

Freeland made just six big-league starts, going 0-2 with a 4.75 ERA. The problems begin early in the season, with lower back pain. Still, on April 22, he pitched an excellent game, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings at Kansas City. But the pain reached a crescendo in his next start, on April 28 vs. the Braves at Coors Field. He gave up five runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking one.

"I was in pain the whole time," he recalled. "We kind of knew, going out there, that I probably wasn't going to make it through my start. But I wanted to try anyway. But that was the nail in the coffin."

Once his back settled down, Feltner began throwing bullpen sessions, only to have pain flare up in his shoulder.

"I just don't think my back was able to rotate properly, and because of that, something else was going to take the stress," he said. "That was the shoulder. It was all so frustrating."

Now, Feltner said, his back and shoulder are "totally fine ... I'm 100% healthy."

Leichman is excited to see what the right-hander can do when his back is not seizing up and his shoulder's not barking.

"He's got what it takes," Leichman said. "We are big believers in him, and I'm sure the league will find out how good he is. The main thing is being physically and mentally ready to take the ball when it's his turn."

Feltner throws six pitches — four-seam fastball, sinker, changeup, curveball, and two types of slider — and he likes the Rockies' philosophy of utilizing expanded pitching arsenals to keep hitters offbalance.

"They have stressed to me that that's my superpower, to be able to throw all of my pitches," he said. "I can shape my sliders. So the slider I throw to lefties, you can call a cutter, and the slider I throw to righties, you can call a true slider. I have a plethora of pitches."

Feltner likes the direction the Rockies are headed under a new front office and pitching staff as camp opens.

"I'm very excited," he said. "Right when I walked into the meeting room last month at Fan Fest at Coors Field, I told somebody that the energy felt different, right away, when I was walking in.

"It's so cool to see the guys have those conversations about our new approaches. It's been a very forward-looking, stimulating environment. I'm going to make the most of it."

The following are some basics for spring training 2026:

Location:

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz.

Key dates

• Feb. 12: Pitchers and catchers report to camp
• Feb. 17: First full-squad workout
• Feb. 20: First Cactus League game vs. Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields (1:10 p.m. MST)
• March 2: Game vs. World Series champion Dodgers, Salt River Fields (1:10 p.m.)
• March 4: Game vs. Team USA (World Baseball Classic), Salt River Fields (1:10 p.m.)

Games on the radio

850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network
(All times Denver time)
• Feb. 20 vs. Diamondbacks (1 p.m. pregame/1:10 p.m. first pitch)
• Feb. 22 at Rangers (12:55/1:05)
• Feb. 24 vs. Angels (1/1:10)
• Feb. 28 vs. Royals (1/1:10)
• March 1 at Guardians (12:55/1:05)
• March 2 vs. Dodgers (1/1:10)
• March 4 vs. Team USA (1/1:10)
• March 8 vs. Guardians (2/2:10)
• March 9 at White Sox (1:55/2:05)
• March 13 vs. Rangers (2/2:10)
• March 15 at Angels (2/2:10)
• March 17 vs. Mariners (2/2:10)
• March 23 vs. Tigers (7/7:10)

Games on TV

Rockies.TV
• Feb. 20 vs. Diamondbacks
• Feb. 24 vs. Angels
• Feb. 28 vs. Royals
• March 2 vs. Dodgers
• March 4 vs. Team USA
• March 8 vs. Guardians
• March 13 vs. Rangers
• March 17 vs. Mariners
• March 23 vs. Tigers

Key player additions

• LHP Brennan Bernardino: experienced lefty reliever.
• RHP Michael Lorenzen: much-needed, experienced depth for the starting rotation.
• RHP Pierson Ohl: depth for the bullpen.
• OF Jake McCarthy: athleticism and speed at all three outfield positions.
• UTL Willi Castro: switch-hitter who can play multiple infield positions, and the outfield, if needed.
• INF Edouard Julien: provides veteran depth at second and first base.
• 1B T.J. Rumfield: Triple-A infielder acquired from the Yankees will compete for the starting spot.

Key player subtractions

• LHP Austin Gomber: free-agent starter became a free agent, signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.
• RHP German Marquez: free-agent starter became a free agent, remains unsigned.
• RHP Angel Chivilli: strong-armed reliever traded to the Yankees.
• 1B Michael Toglia: non-tender by Rockies, signed a minor league deal with Reds.
• OF Yanquiel Fernández: designated for assignment, now a free agent.

Prospects to watch:

• 1B Charlie Condon (Rockies No. 2, via MLB Pipeline)
• OF Zac Veen (No. 11)
• LHP Carson Palmquist (No. 13)
• RHP Gabriel Hughes (No. 14)
• OF Sterlin Thompson (No. 15)
• LHP Welinton Herrera (No. 20)

— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post

I really think the Rockies have a shot at losing 90 games or fewer this season. Am I dreaming?

— Dave, Denver

Dave, sorry to wake you from your dreamy slumber, but I don’t see that happening.

I’m sure the Rockies aren’t looking at negative milestones such as avoiding losing fewer than 90 games. They are simply looking to get better. That’s the right approach. They will be better, but not 29 games better than their 43-119 record in 2025.

Bottom line: Colorado’s suspect starting pitching and anemic offense must make dramatic improvements for the club to avoid its fourth consecutive 100-loss season.

Hi Patrick. I have some hope that things are moving in the right direction. Any news on the Kris Bryant fiasco?

— Paul, Aurora

Paul, I share your hope. I have been encouraged by the changes in the front office and coaching staff. There is a new direction and energy. We’ll see where it takes the Rockies.

As for Bryant, the Rockies have stayed very quiet about his future. When I recently asked Paul DePodesta, president of baseball operations, if Bryant would be at spring training, he said, “That will be up to our medical people.”

I’ve reached out to Bryant multiple times this offseason, but haven’t received a response.

In my opinion, Bryant’s playing career is over because of his chronic back condition. The Rockies still owe him $81 million over the next three seasons.

The last time I looked, German Marquez is still available on the free-agent market. Is there any chance of him returning to the Rockies?

— Tim, Canon City

Tim, never say never, but I don’t think Marquez will return to Colorado. He told me toward the end of last season that he was eager to see how he could perform away from Coors Field. He wanted a fresh start.

Plus, the Rockies already signed Michael Lorenzen to bring in some veteran stability to their wobbly rotation. Colorado’s game plan is to try to develop young pitchers under the tutelage of new pitching coaches and coordinators. Marquez doesn’t fit those plans.

I’m sure that Marquez, who turns 31 on Feb. 22, will land with a major league team, although likely via a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. But he’s got a lot to prove after his disastrous 2024 and ’25 seasons. In 2024, returning from Tommy John surgery, he made just four starts because of a stress reaction in his elbow. In 2025, the Rockies’ franchise strikeout leader posted a 6.70 ERA over 26 starts. Opposing teams hit .317 against him.

Who leads the team in saves this season?

— Greg, Syracuse

My first choice is Seth Halorsen, followed by Victor Vodnik.

Why Halvorsen? It’s not just because he threw a 103.3 mph fastball last season. It’s also because he is such an aggressive pitcher with the ability to let a blown save roll off his back.

The caveat here is that Halvorsen finished last season on the IL after pitching his final game on Aug. 2. Initially, there were fears that the right-hander would have to undergo Tommy John surgery. However, an MRI, ultrasound and a CT scan showed he had suffered a right flexor strain. There was no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. From everything I’ve heard, he’s had a normal offseason.

Halvorsen, who turns 26 on Feb. 18, had Tommy John surgery as a freshman at the University of Missouri in 2019.

Can all the new coaches from the Dodgers teach the Rockies to lay off pitches outside the zone?

— Tom, Centennial

Tom, that will be one of the biggest questions of spring training. I had a long talk with new pitching coach Brett Pill at the recent Fan Fest. He has many ideas about what the Rockies must do to address their flaws. I will address those ideas more in-depth in a later story.

Pill told me he thinks the Rockies have “a super talented group of young hitters who need to hone their approach.”

Pill, his staff, and Colorado’s hitters have a lot of work ahead of them. According to Baseball Savant, the Rockies led the majors with a 51% swing rate, a 31.7% chase rate, and a 29.0% whiff rate.

The Rockies also finished second in the majors in strikeouts with 1,531. The leader was the World Series champion Dodgers, but the powerful Dodgers also finished second with 244 home runs, while the Rockies hit the sixth-fewest (160).

With spring training getting close and deals likely to pick up, do you think the Rockies would give any consideration to bringing in Paul Goldschmidt? Could be a Jason Giambi-type role.

— Nate, Lamar

Nate, if the Rockies were a contending team, signing a veteran like Goldschmidt would make sense. Gaimbi helped the Rockies make the playoffs in 2009, much as veteran Matt Holliday did during their 2018 playoff season.

While I believe Colorado will acquire a first baseman for the 2026 season while they wait for Charlie Condon to develop, I don’t think it will be Goldschmidt.