Rockies finalize opening day roster, dropping prospect Veen

The Colorado Rockies announced their 26-man roster for opening day after making some surprising decisions. Manager Bud Black confirmed that veteran outfielder Nick Martini, 34, has made the team, while young talent Zac Veen, 23, will start the season at Triple-A Albuquerque. Veen had a strong spring training, batting .298 with two home runs and nine stolen bases. However, the Rockies believe he needs to work on his consistency and strikeout rate against major league pitchers. Veen will have more opportunities to play regularly at Triple-A to develop his skills. Jordan Beck, who struggled early in camp, finished strong and earned a spot on the roster. Veteran Sam Hilliard will also remain on the team, mainly as a pinch-runner and defensive backup. In other news, the Rockies traded Nolan Jones to Cleveland for utility player Tyler Freeman. Freeman will help fill in at second base while starting player Thairo Estrada recovers from a wrist injury. Martini had an impressive spring, hitting .389 and showing his value as a veteran presence in the outfield. The Rockies are hoping his experience will benefit the team as younger players like Sean Bouchard and Brenton Doyle start in the outfield. While Beck’s performance has been inconsistent, he showed improvement towards the end of camp. Hilliard's spring was less successful, but his speed and defense secured him a spot on the roster despite a low batting average. Overall, the Rockies’ roster reflects a blend of experienced players and younger prospects, as they work towards building a competitive team.