De La Rosa gets final spring tuneup vs. Athletics

PHOENIX — Based on performance alone, Jorge De La Rosa has been the Rockies’ best starter this spring. And it could be easily argued that he’s the second best starter on the staff. But he’s going fourth on the staff. Manager Jim Tracy likes the differences between Ubaldo Jimenez, Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook. De La Rosa has worked 19 1/3 innings, compiling a 1.86 ERA. He will start the home opener against the Padres. He will be followed today by Justin Speier, Randy Flores and Matt Daley. Speier could go a long way toward making the team with a solid performance today. Rockies (14-11-1) 3B Eric Young Jr. CF Dexter Fowler LF Seth Smith SS Troy Tulowitzki RF Brad Hawpe C Chris Iannetta DH Brad Eldred 1B Paul Lo Duca 2B Clint Barmes LHP Jorge De La Rosa Athletics (11-12) DH Coco Crisp CF Rajai Davis 2B Mark Ellis 1B Eric Chavez C Kurt Suzuki 3B Jake Fox RF Gabe Gross SS Adam Rosales LF Eric Patterson