DENVER, CO - AUGUST 16: Mark Reynolds #12 of the Colorado Rockies watches his RBI single during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field on August 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) According to multiple reports, the Colorado Rockies Opening Day roster has virtually been decided as a result of moves they have made today. The Colorado Rockies have virtually made their 25-man roster known with their roster cuts on Sunday afternoon. Infielder Pat Valaika and reliever Carlos Estevez have been sent to Triple-A Albuquerque, per Sam Bradfield of Purple Row on Twitter. Per Nick Groke of The Athletic on Twitter, reliever DJ Johnson has made the Rockies Opening Day roster. Additionally, infielder Mark Reynolds and outfielder Raimel Tapia have made the roster and will be on the Rockies bench, per Kyle Newman of The Denver Post on Twitter. Additionally, catcher Brett Nicholas has not made the team and will be granted his release from the Rockies, per Groke. The only moves left are for the last bullpen spot as it is between Harrison Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman and who will be the two catchers on the Rockies roster. Also, it is yet to be announced whether Garrett Hampson or Ryan McMahon will be the starting second baseman but both will make the roster. For the bullpen battle, as Groke noted in the same tweet as above, the clear advantage is to Musgrave as Hoffman is a starter and not a reliever. Otherwise, the Rockies roster is pretty much set for Opening Day next week. Of these moves, the most surprising one to me is Pat Valaika, as he has had a decent spring training. He has hit .286/.280/.612 in 24 games. That is in comparison to Mark Reynolds, who has hit .143/.280/.357 in 17 games. In case you missed it too, the Rockies traded outfielder Mike Tauchman to the Yankees earlier today. Here’s how the roster looks as of this moment, minus Antonio Senzatela and Chris Rusin, who will both start the season in the injured list. Total players: 28.<doc-sep>With Colorado set to open the 2019 season Thursday in Miami, here’s a look at the Rockies’ projected 25-man roster. LINEUP 1. Charlie Blackmon (RF) 119 — That’s how many runs Chuck Nazty scored last year to lead the N.L., the second straight year he’s done so. He could lead for a third consecutive season with another high-average hitter in Daniel Murphy added behind him. 2. Daniel Murphy (1B) 17.54 — The percentage of innings Daniel Murphy has played in his career at first base (1,761 out of 10,039 total innings), where Colorado looks for him to be a proficient defender in addition to barreling balls into the spacious Coors Field gaps. 3. Trevor Story (SS) 11.4 — Story’s WAR (wins over replacement) for the past three seasons; the only N.L. shortstop with a total higher WAR from 2016-18 is the Cubs’ Javier Baez, and the sure-gloved Story’s offensive roof is far from reached. 4. Nolan Arenado (3B) $43,333 — After signing the richest deal in Colorado sports history, that’s the approximate dollar amount the perennial all-star will make per at-bat this season, based on a $26 million salary and a 600 at-bats estimate. Money well spent in LoDo. 5. David Dahl (LF) 9 — The number of home runs David Dahl crushed during September and October last year, tangible proof that the now healthy 24-year-old is ready to assert himself in the lineup. 6. Ian Desmond (CF) 62.0% — That was Ian Desmond’s ground ball rate last season, which led the major leagues. Fewer groundouts this season would mean a higher average and probably enhanced power numbers from his solid 22 homer showing last year. 7. Ryan McMahon (2B) 466 — That’s how many feet Ryan McMahon’s third home run of spring went on March 18, part of a Cactus League hitting clinic the versatile infielder is putting on (three total homers, .457 average) to cement his role on the roster. 8. Chris Iannetta (C) 36 — Playing age of the veteran this season after his birthday April 8, making him oldest position player on team (five weeks older than Mark Reynolds). His baseball wisdom behind the plate will go a long way toward helping the pitching staff. ROTATION 1. Kyle Freeland (LHP) 2.40 — Freeland set the franchise bar for Coors Field domination last season with that home ERA mark, and Colorado’s opening-day starter is eager to bear the burden of being the ace again this year. 2. German Marquez (RHP) 230 — Marquez tallied that many strikeouts last year while flashing electric “easy cheese” stuff and setting Colorado’s single-season K record. He could easily break that mark again in 2019. 3. Jon Gray (RHP) 235 — That’s the weight Gray checked into spring training at after an offseason which emphasized nutrition, weight lifting and weight gain, and Gray needs to be sure to stay around that mark throughout the season in order to keep his edge. 4. Tyler Anderson (LHP) 2.16 — Anderson’s ERA in 33 July innings last year, when he was one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball. If he can even be that guy for some of this season, the Rockies’ rotation will be effectively deep. 5. Chad Bettis (RHP) 3.27 — Bettis’ ERA through May 22 last year, when he sported a 4-1 record and was Colorado’s most reliable arm. Finger blister issues derailed that success, but Bettis is back healthy and hungry again. BENCH Garrett Hampson (2B/CF) 30.0 — The versatile rookie’s sprint speed last year, which not only makes Hampson the fastest second basemen in the major leagues this year, but also tied for the seventh-fastest player in all of baseball. Raimel Tapia (OF) .319 — Tapia’s career minor league average, including .330 in 187 Triple-A games. The guy can clearly rake at that level, and with no options remaining, he’ll now get an extended opportunity to prove his bat consistently translates to the big leagues. Tony Wolters (C) 1.99 — After hitting .170 last season, Wolter’s above-average pop-time and overall defensive aptitude earned him a spot with the hope that more consistent knocks, like his clutch go-ahead single in extras of the 2018 wild card game, are to come. Mark Reynolds (PH/DH/1B) 6 — Reynolds enters the season with 294 career home runs, and whether the journeyman veteran in his 13th year (and second stint with Colorado) reaches 300 will be a good gauge as to his effectiveness as a right-handed bench bat. BULLPEN Wade Davis (RHP) 43 — The 33-year-old set a Rockies single-season record and led the N.L. with that number of saves last season, and if he cuts down on the handful of blowups he incurred, he has the endurance to surpass that mark. Scott Oberg (RHP) 2.23 — That was Oberg’s home ERA in 32-plus innings at Coors Field last season. Only the departed Adam Ottavino (2.10 ERA) was better at Coors Field out of the bullpen last year as Oberg assumes the eighth-inning set-up role this year. Seunghwan Oh (RHP) 1.17 — Bud Black needs the veteran right-hander to become a seventh-inning stalwart once again, as he posted that minimal ERA in seven-plus innings of work during the seventh last regular season with Colorado. Mike Dunn (LHP) 3 — Dunn served that many stints on the disabled list last season — two on the 10-day before being sent to the 60-day in late July — with shoulder issues that, post-postseason surgery, have been non-existent this spring with a 0.00 ERA in eight innings. Jake McGee (LHP) 3.50 — Spring training numbers can deceive, and the Rockies hope the 32-year-old’s Cactus League ERA is an aberration as Colorado needs him to become the veteran left-handed bullpen force the club is paying him handsomely to be. Bryan Shaw (RHP) $8,500,000 — Only five Rockies players are making more dollars, and McGee is earning the same, but no one on the roster is under more pressure for a bounce-back season in 2019 than this right-hander, who has shown promise in the second half of spring. Harrison Musgrave (LHP)<doc-sep>SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Colorado Rockies announced a flurry of roster moves today as Spring Training begins to wind down. First, they traded outfielder Mike Tauchman to the Yankees for left-handed pitcher Phillip Diehl. Next, Bud Black announced that reliever Carlos Estévez and infielder Pat Valaika had both been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque, and Brett Nicholas was sent to minor league camp in the likelihood that he will be released. More to come on Nicholas. On the flip side, reliever DJ Johnson, first baseman Mark Reynolds, and outfielder Raimel Tapia will all be on the the Opening Day 25-man roster. With all of these moves, that leaves two spots left to fill. The first one is for the final bullpen spot, which is winding down to Harrison Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman. Musgrave is likely to win the spot as a long reliever, and Hoffman is still in camp mostly as insurance in case of injury to a starter before Opening Day. The second spot is behind the plate, with Chris Iannetta, Tony Wolters, and Tom Murphy all fighting for two spots. Iannetta and Wolters did the bulk of the catching last year and Murphy is out of minor league options and would have to clear waivers before he can be sent to Triple-A. Today marks the final home game for the Cactus League Rockies before they depart to Albuquerque on Monday and then on to Florida to play the Twins on Tuesday and open against the 2019 regular season against the Marlins Thursday.<doc-sep>With spring training nearing an end, the Rockies will soon have decisions to make in order to set their 25-man roster for opening day on March 28 in Miami. Here is The Denver Post’s projection for the roster, from the no-brainers to the “bubble” players. INFIELDERS Nolan Arenado — Fresh off signing the biggest contract in club history, look for another big season. He finished third in the MVP voting in 2018, and winning a seventh consecutive Gold Glove is nearly a foregone conclusion. Trevor Story — He put up a historic offensive season for a shortstop last year by reaching 40 doubles, 30 homers and 25 steals, and if he stays healthy, he could very well top those numbers. Daniel Murphy — Colorado’s lone marquee free-agent signing this offseason, Fangraphs projects the starting first baseman to hit .315 with 17 home runs. Ryan McMahon — After showing flashes of power last season, the hybrid infielder has demonstrated more consistency at the plate this spring (.444 average with two home runs and 26 total bases) and will likely see significant playing time at 2B. Garrett Hampson — The speedster rookie is tearing up the Cactus League and his capabilities at second base and as a backup to Ian Desmond in center field make him an obvious roster choice. Mark Reynolds — He’s hitting .160 this spring, but the veteran slugger has two home runs which indicates there’s still pop left as a right-handed bat off the bench. Keeping Reynolds likely forces infielder Pat Valaika to Triple-A to start the season. OUTFIELDERS Charlie Blackmon — Moving to right field this season should save the 32-year-old from wear and tear, and that might help him improve his offense to a level that could resemble his historic 2017 season. David Dahl — The 24-year-old earned a starting role with his production and power during a run to the playoffs last fall, and will start in left field where his defensive upside is as huge as the 25-plus homers he could mash. Ian Desmond — He’ll be the oldest starting center fielder in the National League at 33, but has demonstrated prowess at the position this spring. He needs to cut down on his ground ball rate at the plate and become a bigger bat in the No. 6 hole. Raimel Tapia — With no options remaining and a strong Cactus League push to be the team’s fourth outfielder via 11 RBIs and 15 total bases, it will be “Tap Time” in LoDo, where the speedy 25-year-old will be frequently called upon off the bench. CATCHERS Chris Iannetta — The 35-year-old veteran receiver will be key in the continued seasoning of Colorado co-aces Kyle Freeland and German Marquez, but he’ll need to improve upon his paltry .224 average last season. Tom Murphy — Out of options and putting on a decent spring training showing, Murphy could be the initial backup option especially considering that fellow catcher Tony Wolters (.170 average last year) has missed much of camp due to illness. STARTERS Kyle Freeland — Colorado’s projected opening-day starter is coming off a historic season in which he set club records for home and overall ERA (2.40 and 2.85, respectively) to finish fourth in the Cy Young voting. German Marquez — Manager Bud Black has had high praise for the 23-year-old right-hander this spring — “he’s developing into one of the best pitchers in the National League.” Jon Gray — One of the biggest question marks on the staff coming into camp, the right-hander who started the club’s last two opening days showed up to Scottsdale 20-plus pounds heavier. He’s thrown well this spring to the tune of a 2.13 ERA with 14 strikeouts in four condensed starts. Tyler Anderson — The southpaw has posted a 7.88 ERA in eight Cactus League innings (seven runs and one home run) but still has plenty of upside when he’s on, as evidenced by his 2.16 ERA last July and his 3.25 ERA over multiple pivotal starts in September and October. Chad Bettis — After finger blister issues derailed the right-hander’s 2018 season, Bettis has posted a 3.86 ERA in 11-plus Cactus League innings (four starts). Bettis’ poise will likely earn him the back-end nod over Antonio Senzatela and Jeff Hoffman. RELIEVERS Wade Davis — After setting a Colorado record with 43 saves in 2018, Davis will need to bring more of the same consistency as the Rockies’ $17 million closer this year. The right-hander needs to avoid the handful of blowups that inflated his 4.13 ERA last year. Seunghwan Oh — The Korean’s spring has been made difficult by neck tightness, and the Rockies can only hope his 19.64 ERA in three-plus Cactus League innings is an aberration from what Colorado came to expect when Oh became a seventh-inning linchpin in the second half of 2018. Scott Oberg — Oberg figures to fill the club’s right-handed eighth-inning void left by the departure of Adam Ottavino. The 29-year-old picked up where he left off last October, allowing just one hit and no runs through his first six innings this spring. Jake McGee — The Rockies are looking for McGee to reassume the role of dominant late-game lefty specialist after an awful 2018. His fastball’s hit 96 mph this spring, but he’s been hit hard. Mike Dunn — After shoulder issues marred his 2018 season, Dunn underwent surgery in September and is fully healthy once again. The 33-year-old veteran has been Colorado’s best lefty reliever this spring. Bryan Shaw — The biggest question mark in the Rockies’ bullpen — and perhaps on the entire roster — Shaw has much to prove in 2019 after bombing last season. So far this spring, his fastball velocity is down and his ERA (6.35) is high through six appearances. It’s worrisome, because Shaw is still owed $19.5 million. Harrison Musgrave — In the wake of Chris Rusin‘s back pain that has limited him to just two innings this spring, fellow southpaw Harrison Musgrave could get the nod until Rusin is healthy again. Musgrave made his MLB debut last April and posted a 4.63 ERA in 35 games.<doc-sep>
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 22: Tony Wolters #14, Ian Desmond #20, and Scott Oberg #45 of the Colorado Rockies celebrate after a 6-2 win over the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on August 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) For the Colorado Rockies, the quest for a third consecutive postseason appearance begins on Thursday afternoon in Miami. How will the Colorado Rockies look heading into their season opener? Much of the mystery surrounding the Opening Day roster has already been solved. The Mike Tauchman trade to the New York Yankees opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for non-roster spring invitee Mark Reynolds as he was officially moved to the active roster on Tuesday morning. Tom Murphy being picked up off waivers has opened up another spot on the 40-man roster and a move is coming soon to cover that. Jeff Hoffman, Pat Valaika, Carlos Estevez and others thought to be in contention for an Opening Day roster spot have been sent to Triple-A Albuquerque. So where does that leave the Rockies heading into south Florida for the season opener? Here is the likely Opening Day roster. Note: What was listed below was made official by the Rockies on Thursday morning. Rotation (in order, as announced earlier by Colorado manager Bud Black): Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray, Chad Bettis Bullpen: Wade Davis, Mike Dunn, DJ Johnson, Jake McGee, Harrison Musgrave, Scott Oberg, Seunghwan Oh, Bryan Shaw Infield: Nolan Arenado (starting at third base), Garrett Hampson, Ryan McMahon (likely starting at second base), Daniel Murphy (starting at first base), Mark Reynolds, Trevor Story (starting at shortstop) Outfield: Charlie Blackmon (starting in right field), David Dahl (starting in left field), Ian Desmond (starting in center field), Raimel Tapia Two contributors in the bullpen will likely start the season on the injured list. Chris Rusin (upper back tightness) and Antonio Senzatela (infected right heel blister) will need some time to heal before they become a part of a Rockies bullpen that will be a key part to the team’s success (or lack thereof) in 2019. With this roster, what will Colorado do with its batting order? There has been talk of Arenado hitting second but Daniel Murphy filled that role in several of the final spring training contests so we will see what Black rolls out Thursday morning in Miami. As a note, five players will be on the Opening Day roster for the first time in their career (Dahl, Hampson, Johnson, Musgrave and Tapia). We will be in Miami and Tampa for Colorado’s first seven games of the season. Follow us on Twitter for the latest information.