In pursuit of final rotation spot, Feltner, Dollander learning lessons along the way

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- With the Rockies’ fifth rotation spot down to right-handers Ryan Feltner and Chase Dollander, it would have helped for either -- or both -- to have dominated on Tuesday against the Mariners.

But while the performances didn’t provide answers, maybe learning some keys to quickly correct problems that arose during the Rockies’ 10-6 loss will serve both better.

Both were scheduled for four innings. Feltner, who started, logged 3 1/3 innings, and Dollander managed 3 2/3. Each of them had an inning he did not finish, with Spring Training rules allowing a pitcher to leave an inning when the pitch count is high but re-enter the next frame.

Feltner walked three with one out in the second and was charged with two runs before he departed. But he returned to extinguish the third inning in nine pitches.

Dollander gave up two runs in his first frame, and was pulled after three doubles, his fielding error and a walk in his next inning. But he retired the next six batters on 21 total pitches, with strikeouts to the final two ending his outing.

So how did each of them find their way?

Stay in the middle
Feltner has a six-pitch mix, with him and Dollander in the conversation for the most electric pitch mixes among starters in the organization. At his best late in the 2024 season, not only did he have extreme movement but he displayed advanced pitch location.

“In the second half of ‘24, I was really good on both sides of the plate, but other times in my career I haven’t been able to do that -- and I don’t know if it’s really necessary and the tradeoff isn’t worth it,” said Feltner, who was limited to six starts last year because of back and shoulder injuries. “I talked to Alon [Leichman] and the pitching coaches and decided we’re just going to go back down the middle, and fill up the zone with six pitches instead of trying to be cute.”

Feltner, 29, holds a 10.03 ERA in five Cactus League outings, but he was process-oriented before his last two games. The previous outing was solid throughout. This was a chance to turn completely to competition. The three runs and four walks were not his goal, but switching strategy between innings is something a pitcher needs to be able to do when his plan isn’t working.

“Historically, I’ve tried to switch into that [regular-season mode] the last three starts of Spring Training,” he said. “Last time I did, it went pretty well. Today I just wasn’t as sharp.”

Volleyball?
Dollander, a rookie last season, said he has no experience playing volleyball. But sometimes if an athlete hears athletic words, he puts them into action.

While Dollander has a fastball capable of triple digits and solid secondary pitches, the best description of his early deliveries were “pushy balls” -- something not recognized by Statcast or encouraged in the Majors.

“I talked to these guys down here and my arm slot was dropping a little bit -- it caused me to push the ball,” he said.

Leichman came up with key words that made him think.

“Right before I was coming up the steps for the last inning, Alon was, like, ‘Spike a volleyball,’” Dollander said before giving a quizzical look. “O.K.

“And it worked, so that’s what we’re going to go with.”

They ended the day feeling the same
Both have one more outing to state their case. Earlier Tuesday, the Rockies optioned righty Tanner Gordon -- who was electric in his last two Cactus League games -- to Triple-A Albuquerque. If he pitches the way he has in camp, Gordon should be the first option should the Rockies have a need.

The Rockies toyed with the idea of a rotation spot for veteran righty Antonio Senzatela, who was shifted to the bullpen last year. But with Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Senzatela was scheduled for at most three innings in the championship game against Team USA on Tuesday. Is that enough to be ready for a rotation spot?

Regardless, Feltner and Dollander are confident.

“I definitely wish my name wasn’t involved in the conversation, but it’s not something I think about -- I know what I’m capable of and I just try to prove it to myself at this point,” Feltner said.

Dollander, in his second Major League camp, said, “I don’t even pay attention to it. I know I’m the best. It’s a fun competition but I think you have to have the mindset of, ‘I’m the best.’ And that’s exactly what I have.”