Rockies select lefty Rosenbaum in Rule 5 Draft

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Rockies selected left-handed pitcher Daniel Rosenbaum from the Nationals in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft and will thrust him into competition for a spot on the pitching staff.

Rosenbaum, 25, who spent last season at Double-A Harrisburg (8-10, 3.94 ERA in 26 starts), immediately joined the Rockies' 40-man roster after being taken with the third overall pick. The Rockies sent $50,00 to the Nationals, and Rosenbaum must remain on the Major League roster for the entire 2013 season. If the Rockies attempt to send him down to the Minors, he must be offered back to the Nationals for $25,000.

Rockies senior vice president of Major League operations Bill Geivett said the club has long liked Rosenbaum, a 22nd-round pick out of Xavier in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

"Our scouts have really liked him -- he throws strikes and he's good at getting ground balls," Geivett said. "He's definitely a good competitor, a good strike thrower that can change speeds, a guy we've had our eye on for a while.

"My question to my scouts was, 'Can he come in and compete for a job?' They said, 'Yes.' We're not taking him as some clubs will do, take a Rule 5 player, hold him for a year at the big league level. We're going to try and see if he can help our Major League club."

Rosenbaum had a big 2011, going a combined 9-6 with a 2.52 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) at Class A Potomac and Harrisburg. He began 2012 at Harrisburg 5-0 with a 0.62 ERA in his first eight starts, but struggled on and off after that. Geivett said a groin injury led to some of the inconsistency after the strong beginning.

The Rockies view Rosenbaum as a competitor for a long role in the bullpen. Lefty Josh Outman will initially compete for a starting-rotation spot, but he also could figure in the long-relief picture. The Rockies also have interest in former D-backs and Tigers reliever Daniel Schlereth as a lefty specialist, but are in the early stages of talks. Schlereth became a free agent when the Tigers non-tendered him.

The Rockies also lost right-hander Coty Woods to the Rangers in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Woods went a combined 4-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 61 relief appearances at Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs.