Look for Jimenez to start Opening Day

Rockies manager Jim Tracy didn’t name right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez the starter for Opening Day, April 5 at Milwaukee on Saturday. But that has more to do with the fact he just has yet to have that formal conversation with Jimenez.

“Not just yet, but in due time I’m probably going to tell him something,” Tracy said with a smile. “You guys can take an educated guess on that, but I’d say you’d be close to being right.

“I enjoy every day with this young man. I really do. He has a presence about him. It’s not a feel-good statement on my part. It’s an observation — this guy brings the attention to himself that you would look to see an individual look to take on. It’s not that he’s doing something to grab somebody’s attention or he needs attention. He’s a presence.”

Jimenez taking the opener is by no means a stretch. He emerged as the best pitcher on the staff last year, finished 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA (a record for a Rockies starter), and received the Game 1 nod in the National League Division Series.