MLB Opening Day 2014: Franklin Morales, Tommy Kahnle round out Colorado Rockies pitching staff

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

And so the Colorado Rockies made their final difficult decisions and put together their pitching staff for the start of the 2014 season.

Franklin Morales will be the 5th starter.

#Rockies just optioned Jordan Lyles to AAA and put Chacin & Boone Logan on 15-day DL. The means Morales is 5th starter, Kahnle in pen.
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) March 28, 2014

While the Rockies would not have objected to getting immediate returns from Lyles given the controversial nature of the trade that landed him in Colorado, they can still afford to take their time with him and let him develop more in the minor leagues. It always made sense that Morales would win that 5th spot, especially given the versatility he brings if the team needs to shift him to the bullpen.

As for Kahnle, a rule 5 selection from the New York Yankees, the next pitch he throws in the big leagues will be his first. The 24-year-old right-hander cracked the bullpen because the team is intrigued by the power he brings.

Kahlne made it, from what I have culled from sources, because command better than expected and has type of power arm #Rockies want in pen
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 29, 2014

Tommy Kahnle, lost by #Yankees in Rule 5 draft, has made #Rockies. Scouts raved about fastball/change combo in spring with improved control
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 29, 2014

The situation is still fluid, of course, because newly signed reliever Boone Logan is set to return on April 6th. What move will the Rockies make to add him to the roster? Will it involve the bullpen or will one of those six outfielders be the casualty? That remains to be seen, but for now the staff will have Morales in the rotation and Kahnle in the ‘pen.