Rockies starter possesses the necessary tools but must now prove it

Similar to the competition for the first base position, Colorado's final rotation spot was an open competition during spring training.

Surprisingly, Tanner Gordon was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque just over a week before the Colorado's season opener. He had a strong spring, posting a 1.64 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched.

The competition was narrowed to two players: Ryan Feltner, 29, recovering from an injury-plagued 2025 season, and Chase Dollander, 24, who had a difficult rookie year marked by a high ERA and control problems.

Despite underwhelming spring training performances from both players, Colorado selected veteran Feltner, hoping for a rebound and sustained health throughout the 2026 season.

This move sends Dollander to the bullpen, allowing him to refine his game and work on his mechanics against Major League hitters in low-leverage situations, as seen in Colorado's 14-5 win over Toronto on Monday night.

In 2024, Feltner made 30 starts for Colorado, finishing with a 3-10 record and a 4.49 ERA. He demonstrated growth with his secondary pitches and achieved a career-high 138 strikeouts. Unfortunately, injuries, including back spasms and a right-shoulder issue, limited his starts to just six in 2025.

Unsurprisingly, his performance was much better on the road compared to his home games at the challenging Coors Field. He posted a 3.93 ERA in 15 road starts, contrasting with a 5.10 ERA at 20th and Blake.

Feltner has a history of command issues, and spring training unfortunately mirrored this. His current BB/9 rate of 3.5 is slightly above the league average of 3.2. Given his nearly year-long absence, it may take him some time to regain his rhythm.

In Feltner's 2024 season, his most encouraging performance was a 2.98 ERA over his last 15 starts, during which he demonstrated much improved command and efficiency across the strike zone.

Colorado preferred Feltner because of his Major League experience and proven track record. He appears to be a more effective pitcher when ahead in the count, but maintaining this consistency is crucial in what could be a defining year for him in Colorado.