Morning Links: Rockies News 2/26

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies get one step closer to real baseball this week as the team prepares for its first inter-squad match-up. Meanwhile, they received good news when they learned that Jhoulys Chacin‘s MRI came back clean and his strained right shoulder will simply require rest and a strengthening program. As for the rest of the rotation, Ervin Santana officially is not an option as the team turns to its pool of promising though unpredictable internal candidates.

Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies today:

From Troy Renck: Chacin’s injury turns Rockies’ rotation into a riddle (Denver Post)

"Juan Nicasio, Franklin Morales and Jordan Lyles are competing for the final two spots, with the intriguing Christian Friedrich, Eddie Butler and Jon Gray earmarked for the minors. Nicasio has to prove, once and for all, that he’s a starter. Morales wants to start. He is no longer the kid who wasn’t sure where the ball was going when he was last with the Rockies.”"

From ESPN New York: Tulo: Winning will end Jeter talk

"‘I take it as an honor for someone to think of myself as someone that possibly could replace him,’ Tulowitzki said Tuesday.That doesn’t mean the three-time All-Star wants to leave Denver. It’s just that he knows after four straight years out of the playoffs, after all the injuries that have sidelined him, this season could determine his future.‘I’d love to stay here my whole career,’ Tulowitzki said. ‘But I know if you lose, other teams may be calling or things might happen.'”"

From Drew Creasman: Purple Row staff picks: Candidates for progression and regression in 2014 (Purple Row)

"Arguing about Justin Morneau won’t stop until we actually start playing games and maybe even then. Still, his numbers the last few years have clearly been hurt by injuries and unless you think Morneau is simply done, it’s hard to see how a move to a new environment and lineup wouldn’t help him improve on those numbers at least some. The vast tundra that is the Coors Field outfield is a paradise for a spray hitter like Morneau,and being surrounded by Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki (among others) will only benefit a cerebral player like Morneau.”"

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