A Holliday celebration … Hawpe to the cage, maybe beyond

The Rockies are preparing to meet the Athletics at Hi Corbett Field. More than that, they’re ready to welcome an old friend, their former left fielder, Matt Holliday.

Unable to sign him for the long term, the Rockies dealt him to the Athletics for pitchers Greg Smith and Huston Street, and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

“It’ll be weird,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “It’ll be different seeing him in an A’s uniform. It’ll be different when he comes up to bat, not watching him from the dugout but having to play defense against him. But it’ll be exciting just to watch him play and get to see him.

“He’s definitely a guy I look up to and respect a lot. I think I’ve made that pretty clear. At the same time, there’s a business part of it, and it’s a choice he made and the Rockies made. I respect both sides.”

Here’s the lineup that will welcome Holliday:

Ryan Spilborghs           CF

Clint Barmes                2B

Todd Helton                 1B

Garrett Atkins              3B

Troy Tulowitzki             SS

Seth Smith                  LF

Matt Murton                RF

Yorvit Torrealba             C

Jorge De La Rosa      LHP

– In a bit of good news for the Rockies, right fielder Brad Hawpe said he planned to hit in the batting cage on Tuesday and possibly join his teammates on the field for batting practice. Hawpe hasn’t played since suffering a lacerated left pinkie finger on Feb. 27.

– Right-handed closer Manuel Corpas is back in the Rockies’ camp after pitching for Panama in the World baseball Classic.