Jorge De La Rosa is the Opening Day Starter, Kinda

Sep 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (29) throws the ball against St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Okay. Sorry. I’m playing with you a bit. De La Rosa is the opening day starter. Just not the one you wish he was starting. DLR is starting April 9th. That’s not opening day, you say? Sure it is! In Albuquerque. That’s right! Jorge De La Rosa is the opening day starter for the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes.

De La Rosa doesn’t understand all the attention coming his way but the winningest pitcher in Coors Field history is being closely watched. Our own Editor Bobby Demuro has even been keeping a close eye on him this last week so anything I miss I am sure you can find here.

De La Rosa felt all the eyes on him in Arizona but he has a whole new surprise Thursday at 6:30pm when the Isotopes open the season against the Reno Aces and with De La Rosa on the mound. The city is buzzing. When the Dodgers were the Major League Team for the Isotopes most of the Dodgers pitchers rehabbed at their AA Club in Rancho Cucamonga, minutes from LA and sans the elevation of Albuquerque. Now, with Colorado only 6 hrs away and less with a quick direct flight from Sunport to DIA, the Topes are getting to see the best of the best from the Rockies.

De La Rosa is in his forth stint in the Pacific Coast League, once with the Iowa Cubs and twice with the Sky Sox, is hoping to make it a short one. A successful outing on Thursday would put De La Rosa on track to rejoin the Rockies on the 14th at the World Series Champion, San Francisco Giants.
All eyes will be on De La Rosa, Thursday, for what Rockies fans will be his only start in the PCL this year.