Pomeranz to kick off rotation derby vs. D-backs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Left-hander Drew Pomeranz, one of the competitors for the final spot in the Rockies' rotation, will have the first chance to show his wares in Cactus League play.

Pomeranz will start against the D-backs in Saturday's opener at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (1:10 p.m. MT). Righty Tyler Chatwood, also competing for the rotation, is scheduled to follow Pomeranz.

Two of the four solid rotation members will throw Sunday against the D-backs (1:10 p.m. MT). Lefty Jeff Francis will start and righty Juan Nicasio will follow him.

Former Marlins and Cubs right-hander Chris Volstad will start on Monday, and lefty Danny Rosenbaum, whom the Rockies selected from the Nationals in the Rule 5 Draft, will follow. Rosenbaum, a starter in the Nationals chain, will be looked at for both duties during the spring. Under Rule 5, once the season starts Rosenbaum must either remain on the Major League roster for the entire season or be offered back to the Nationals for $50,000.

The other two solid rotation members will work Tuesday against the Cubs (1:05 p.m. MT), with righty Jhoulys Chacin starting and lefty Jorge De La Rosa coming in after him.

On Wednesday against the Padres (1:05 p.m. MT), Chatwood will start, Pomeranz will follow and lefty Josh Outman, listed for one to two innings of relief in the first two games of the schedule, will follow. Outman also is considered a competitor for the rotation.

Left-hander Nick Schmidt, who went 12-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 26 games (25 starts), at Double-A Tulsa last season, and righty prospect Chad Bettis, who missed last season because of a shoulder injury but is still considered one of the team's top prospects, are among the pitchers for Friday's intrasquad game.