Rockies are considering carrying extra pitchers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies are still toying with the idea of carrying 13 pitchers during lengthy homestands, given the high number of games where there is heavy bullpen use at Coors Field, and going back to 12 for long road trips.

But as with many such plans, variables such as the length of the homestand, how the team and individuals are playing, and the time it takes to bring in a player -- depending on where Triple-A Colorado Springs is playing at the time -- it's an idea that could sound better than it operates. No wonder manager Walt Weiss is noncommittal.

"It's possible," Weiss said. "A lot of that will be play-it-by-ear stuff and a lot of it will depend on what's going on. There is nothing predetermined going into the season. There may be times when we carry 13 pitchers and times when we carry 13 position players. It just depends on the circumstances."