SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.
Eddie Butler was shaky in his final audition for a starting job, giving up a two-run home run to Logan Morrison and balking in a run in the Colorado Rockies’ 6-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.
Manager Walt Weiss wanted to see the 24-year-old pitch effectively after the right-hander didn’t get out of the first inning in his last start because of a tired shoulder. Butler said he was healthy, but was charged with five runs and six hits while getting seven outs.
“Everything felt good with that, but just a couple bad pitches today (Saturday),” Butler said.
Weiss said they’ll decide Sunday whether Butler or Christian Bergman gets the last roster spot.
Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the second off Seattle starter Taijuan Walker, only the second run he allowed in 27 innings. Walker finished spring training with a 0.67 earned-run average, more than enough to earn the fourth rotation spot.
Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz each singled off Butler before exiting early in the teams’ final exhibition game.
“I’m happy with my spring,” Butler said. “Couple games I wish were better, obviously today (Saturday).”
Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (groin strain) said he’ll throw live batting practice Sunday in Milwaukee.
“It’s still a little sore, but not bad,” he said. “But I haven’t thrown anything, so I have to make sure I’m OK.”
Weiss said he’d likely need a minor league start before he was ready.
Rockies top prospect Jon Gray was packing up his locker Saturday morning, a day after the right-hander was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque.
“It’s tough, but at the same time it’s a reality check of what I need to work on,” Gray said.
That includes his pregame routine and fielding his position. “But I finally feel like a big league pitcher,” he said. “It’s encouraging.”
Reliever John Axford struck out two in a hitless inning and was heading to Milwaukee with the Rockies despite his 2-year-old son facing another week in the hospital.
Jameson Axford has been hospitalized since March 25 when he was bitten twice on the right foot by a rattlesnake at the family’s rental home in Scottsdale.
Weiss said Axford and Adam Ottavino will be the team’s late-inning right-handers, with Boone Logan being the lefty setup man.
