Roster not yet finalized, though Bettis looks good

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss did not reveal the Opening Day roster on Wednesday, and said some spots were up in the air.

Weiss did hint that righty Chad Bettis, who has given up just one run in nine Cactus League appearances, would get a spot. He also said lefty Boone Logan was a "long shot" to avoid beginning the season on the disabled list as he completes recovery from an offseason elbow cleanup surgery. Logan is throwing in Minor League games, which would backdate his 15-day DL placement to March 21 and have him eligible to be activated April 5.

Here are the decisions that remain:

Pitchers: Bettis has one of two possible bullpen spots. The other depends on whether the Rockies go with righty Jordan Lyles (0-1, 3.18 ERA in five Spring Training games) or lefty Franklin Morales (3-1, 2.21 in six games) as the fifth starter.

If it's Morales, Lyles will likely be optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs and a spot will be opened in the bullpen. It would allow the Rockies to keep their Rule 5 draftee from the Yankees, Tommy Kahnle, a righty who has a 0.93 spring ERA. If the Rockies go with Lyles, Morales would go to the bullpen as the second left-hander. Setup man and sometimes closer Rex Brothers is the other lefty.

Outfield: Right-handed-hitting Brandon Barnes' strong spring (.340, strong defense at all three positions) has been widely assumed to have earned him a job.

That leaves left-handed hitters Corey Dickerson, whose two hits Wednesday included his fifth double and upped his average to .379, and Charlie Blackmon, who went 0-for-3 with two walks and is hitting .212. Blackmon has more big league experience but Dickerson has been hot.

Whoever is picked will start occasionally. The other will get his starts at Colorado Springs.

Infield utility: If the roster is configured as expected, there are two jobs. Non-roster invitee Paul Janish has the most experience, plays all three positions, and has hit .413 after going 1-for-4 with a double Wednesday. Josh Rutledge (.270 this spring) and Charlie Culberson (.277) are in the mix as multi-position players.

The wild card is left-handed-hitting Ryan Wheeler (.339), who is a corner player with power. Do the Rockies have room for such a bat?

Backup catcher: The easy move is to go with Jordan Pacheco (.346), who is out of Minor League options, and option the catcher with more experience, Michael McKenry (.265). But on Wednesday, McKenry and Opening Day starter Jorge De La Rosa were efficient for six scoreless innings. This was on the heels of De La Rosa's poor communication in his last start with the regular catcher, the offense-oriented Wilin Rosario.