Esmil Rogers allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings and struck out eight Thursday in a defeat of the Pirates.

Rogers had a 6.13 ERA in eight starts and 20 relief appearances for the Rockies last season, but his strikeout and home run rates showed promise. It looks like he'll spend at least the first month of the season in the rotation, and he could last all year if he pitches well. He's still a bit raw for a 25-year-old, but he does have some upside in NL-only leagues.

Esmil Rogers held the Rangers to an unearned run over six innings to win Friday night.

He made the error that led to the unearned run, but that's OK. Rogers allowed just three hits, walked one and struck out four in his first outing since being named the Rockies' fifth starter.

Esmil Rogers will open the regular season as the Rockies' fifth starter.

Rogers has not enjoyed the smoothest spring and wasn't exactly sharp at the Triple-A level last year, but the Rockies need a body to eat some innings until Aaron Cook returns from his broken finger. The 25-year-old Rogers can be avoided for fantasy purposes.

Esmil Rogers got roughed up by the Angels on Sunday, as he allowed eight hits, six runs and two walks in five innings.

The poor day ballooned his spring ERA to 5.68 through 19 innings. Rogers should get some starts this April, but will most likely be banished to the bullpen or Triple-A once Aaron Cook comes off the disabled list.

Esmil Rogers was terrific Tuesday, tossing five shutout innings on one hit and no walks against the Cubs.

He struck out three in the superb outing, solidifying his position as the favorite to win the Rockies' No. 5 starter spot. Rogers now holds a 3.86 ERA this spring to go along with a 9/2 K/BB ratio over 14 frames. The right-hander might only be needed for a start or two in April, depending on how Aaron Cook's (finger, shoulder) recovery goes.

The Denver Post's Troy Renck considers Esmil Rogers the favorite to win the No. 5 spot in the Rockies rotation.

It's assuming that Aaron Cook (shoulder) and John Maine (shoulder) aren't ready by the start of the season, which is the likely scenario at this point. Both Rogers and Felipie Paulino have struggled this spring, but Paulino has been a little worse. Paulino doesn't have options remaining, so he'll be a member of the bullpen if he doesn't crack the rotation. Whoever fills in as the No. 5 starter might only need to for a start or two before Cook is ready.

Esmil Rogers was knocked around by the Royals Saturday, giving up four runs -- three earned -- on four hits.

Rogers was totally erratic, as he also walked one, hit two batters and committed a balk. He struck out one. The right-hander has a shot at the No. 5 spot in the rotation if Aaron Cook's shoulder problems linger, but Felipe Paulino has him at arm's length for that possible gig.

Esmil Rogers will work as a starter in spring training for the Rockies.

Rogers has fared better as a reliever and will likely end up as a member of the bullpen when all is said and done, but he'll at least be given a shot at a rotation spot initially. Rogers posted a 6.12 ERA over 72 innings for the Rockies this past season but did boast a 66/26 K/BB ratio.

Esmil Rogers will start in place of Jeff Francis in the season finale Sunday against the Cardinals.

Probably the right call. Francis has really struggled since returning from shoulder soreness, posting an 8.38 ERA over three starts. Rogers isn't a recommended fantasy option, however.

Esmil Rogers was pulled after allowing seven runs in 1 2/3 innings Wednesday versus the Braves.

This might be Rogers' last start. He was probably going to pitch once more before Aaron Cook returned, but the Rockies might want to go in a different direction after this stinker left him with a 5.66 ERA for the season.

Esmil Rogers limited the Diamondbacks to one run in 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision Friday.

Rogers left with a two-run lead, but that was blown by Huston Street in the ninth. He struck out six and walked one in his best start to date. It's unclear if he'll make another start, but this will definitely help his case.

Esmil Rogers will remain in the starting rotation to pitch against the Brewers on Saturday.

Bad news for those who hoped to see Jhoulys Chacin get a shot. Rogers allowed four runs -- three earned -- over six innings in a win over the Pirates on Sunday. He just doesn't have much fantasy upside.

Rockies recalled RHP Esmil Rogers from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Rogers is filling in for Aaron Cook, who is on the DL. There's a good chance that this will be the only start he gets, as The Rockies are just waiting for Jhoulys Chacin to build his innings up. Rogers has a 4.85 ERA in 13 games (two starts) for the Rockies this season and a 5.75 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) at Triple-A.

Esmil Rogers is scheduled to start for the Rockies on Sunday in the finale of a four-game set with the Pirates.

Rogers has fanned 22 batters in his last three starts at Triple-A Colorado Springs and will return to a 4.85 big-league ERA. Still, we'd recommend leaving him alone in mixed leagues and in most NL-only formats.

Rockies optioned RHP Esmil Rogers to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

He was cleared to make room for Friday's starter Jorge De La Rosa. Rogers has a 4.85 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 13 games (two starts) in three stints with the big club this season.

Rockies recalled RHP Esmil Rogers from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Rogers has struggled in his time both with the Rockies (5.23 ERA) and in the minors (7.41 ERA). He can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Rockies optioned RHP Esmil Rogers to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Rogers has made 11 appearances (two starts) with the Rockies this season, posting a 5.32 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 23 2/3 innings. Though he was primary used as a reliever in the majors this season, he'll be a starter with the Sky Sox.

Esmil Rogers will move to the Rockies' bullpen when Jason Hammel and Jeff Francis return to the Rockies' rotation this weekend.

He'll join Greg Smith, who is also on his way out of the rotation to accommodate the new arrivals. Rogers was 0-1 as a starter with and ERA of 8.31 and a WHIP of 2.07, but perhaps he'll have better success pitching out of the bullpen.

Esmil Rogers yielded five runs -- four earned -- in 4 2/3 innings Friday in a no-decision versus the Dodgers.

Rogers performed well as a stopgap reliever for the Rockies last month, but he's failed to get the job done in two starts since rejoining the team last week, yielding 10 runs -- eight earned -- in 8 2/3 innings.. He may head back to Triple-A now.

Rockies recalled RHP Esmil Rogers from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Rogers will make a start on Saturday against the Giants. He has started two games in the minors this season and allowed just two runs, one earned, in 10 innings of work.