New-look Rockies roster brings its spring chemistry into 2026

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Telltale signs were all over the clubhouse on Tuesday morning in Scottsdale. Duffle bags stuffed to the max, cardboard boxes lined up, ready to fill. A notice “Truck For Denver Has Departed!!” posted in plain sight.

After 31 games in 40 days since pitchers and catchers first reported, the Rockies broke Cactus League camp on a getaway day that ended with an 11-8 loss to the Tigers before the team boarded their flight for Miami.

Seemingly, the Rockies can only go up when the regular season opens Friday. Last year saw the club set a franchise mark for losses with 119, but manager Warren Schaeffer -- who lost the “interim” title next to his name over the offseason -- likes what he sees with the roster that came together in the desert.

“We’re very excited about it,” he said. “The lineup that we’re going to have and the matchups that we’re going to be able to get is a huge step forward. The way these guys are gelling together and the way they want to pass the baton on to the next guy, there’s a real commitment to that.”

The Rockies will leave Arizona down a couple of players.

Outfielder Tyler Freeman, who came over in the trade that sent Nolan Jones to the Guardians almost a year ago to the day, will start the season on the injured list due to back inflammation, although Schaeffer expects it to be a short stint.

Also Tuesday, right-hander Seth Halvorsen was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. The Rockies’ seventh-round Draft pick from 2023 struggled this spring with 12 runs allowed and 12 walks in just five innings.

Retooling the pitching room was just one priority this spring. In 2025 the rotation posted the highest team ERA (6.65) since it became a stat in 1913, and the bullpen had a second-worst 5.18 ERA in the league.

With a starting rotation of lefty Kyle Freeland and right-handers Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana, Tomoyuki Sugano and Ryan Feltner, righties Chase Dollander and Antonio Senzatela will be long-inning guys out of the bullpen.

“Having two length guys in the bullpen like that that you can use in plus and minus situations, both of those guys, it’s gonna help everybody,” Schaeffer said.

Situational matchups in relief will dictate a lot, particularly with Brennan Bernardino as the only lefty in the ’pen. Right-handers will be counted on against lefties.

“If we weren’t confident that we had good-stuff right-handers that could get left-handers out, we wouldn’t roll with just Bernie,” the skipper said. “Jaden Hill can definitely get left-handers out, [Victor Vodnik] can get left-handers out. [Zach] Agnos can get left-handers out.”

Outfielder Troy Johnston, claimed off waivers from the Marlins this offseason, earned his first career Opening Day roster spot after a strong spring that saw him bat .375 over 23 games.

Also earning his first Opening Day roster spot is first baseman TJ Rumfield, who arrived as a non-roster invitee and left with the club’s Spring Training MVP award. In 23 games, he batted .286 with a .913 OPS, plus five homers and only two strikeouts in 56 at-bats.

There’s no change in mindset for the 25-year-old lefty as he transitions from Spring Training to the regular season.

“It’s the same approach, it’s the same game, it’s baseball,” he said. “It’s just in a different stadium in a different setting. It’s what I’ve dreamed about my entire life.”

The roster also includes newcomers like Jake McCarthy, who came over in a January trade with the Diamondbacks. The outfielder already felt at home at Salt River Fields, which the Rockies share with the D-backs, although breaking camp this year adds a new twist.

“Usually I’m used to staying in Arizona,” McCarthy joked. “Honestly, it’s been a decent amount of work packing up.”

Finding clubhouse chemistry hasn’t been a problem.

“It’s been great meeting all these guys. I feel like I’ve played against them so much over the last few years,” McCarthy said. “It’s been cool to get to know them on a personal level.”

After the three-game set against the Marlins, the Rockies are off to Toronto for three more before welcoming the Phillies to Coors Field on April 3. Getting off to a fast start -- after the club one year ago got out to the worst 50-game start (8-42) for any team in the Modern Era (since 1900) -- isn’t a primary focus.

“If you really, truly trust your process and you’re intentional about your process every day, it doesn't matter if it’s Game 1, Game 5, Game 76,” Schaeffer said. “The idea is we’re going to go about our business the right way every day.”