Worth noting

• The Rockies hit four home runs Tuesday, one by a projected regular (Nolan Arenado). The others were from 2010 top pick Kyle Parker -- a rocket shot to left off Cubs starter Travis Wood -- Kent Matthes and Ryan Wheeler.

With some adjustments to his approach, Wheeler, who came in a trade with the D-backs before last season and appeared in 28 games for the Rockies in 2013 (.220, 0 HR, 7 RBIs) has put himself in consideration for a left-handed-hitting backup corner infield/bat off the bench role. Wheeler, 25, punctuated his homer, a pull shot to right field, off Chang-Yong Lim with a stylish bat flip.

"The power is coming," Weiss said of Wheeler, who hit 12 homers at Triple-A Colorado Springs last season and had 15 for Triple-A Reno in the D-backs' system in 2012. "You see him loft balls in batting practice that you didn't really see, even a year ago. He got bigger and stronger this offseason.

"He's always been a deep-contact guy who hits the ball in the off-gap really well, and he's picking spots to catch the ball out front and do what he did today."

• The Rockies are grinding through a difficult schedule stretch. Wednesday is the start of five games in three days, including three night games.

• Second baseman DJ LeMahieu hit .297 in 81 games in 2012 and .280 in 109 games last year, but finished each season with two homers. The 6-foot-4 LeMahieu, however, could make strides as a hitter if he adds power. Weiss sees LeMahieu making an adjustment.

"DJ knows pitchers are pounding him in, because he inside-outs the ball so well," Weiss said. "The best way to get them out of there every once in a while is to catch the ball out front, or shoot it in the seats. There's some power in there."