Rosario's development to continue under Lachemann

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A smiling Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario returned to the team after missing two days to be with his wife, Genesis, and the couple's second child, a girl, Aidelys, born Tuesday.

"I brought her home, she's feeling comfortable and now I'm here, ready for work," Rosario said.

Rosario has been in the Majors since being called up from Double-A in 2011. His 52 home runs and .813 OPS since his debut make him one of the Majors' top offensive catchers, but his defense is still developing.

He'll have a change in mentorship. Jerry Weinstein, last year's catching coach, was quiet and professorial -- he recently has had a book published (The Complete Handbook of Coaching Catchers, published by Coaches Choice). Weinstein took a job as an offensive coordinator in the Minor League system. This year, Rosario and the catchers are coached by former Major League manager Rene Lachemann, who is a high-energy and high-humor teacher. Rosario believes his learning curve will be the same because the message hasn't changed.

"Believe it or not, it's the same thing," Rosario said. "They're the same behind the plate. 'Lach' is a little dynamic. You can laugh a little more. With Jerry, it's a little serious. The time that we're going to work, we're going to work. It's no joke. I miss that guy. We're pretty tight."

To deal with the wear and tear of catching, Rosario reported lighter -- in the 223-225-pound range, down from the 231-232 of last season -- and concentrated on strength and flexibility in his legs. Also, the Rockies hope to use Rosario for a few games at first base to spell Justin Morneau and keep his bat in the lineup.

"I'm not that great a player like [Todd] Helton or Morneau, but I try to serve," Rosario said. "If they need me there sometimes, I'm going to be there."