Why make a long season longer?

Right fielder Brad Hawpe has not appeared in a Cactus League game. He suffered an ingrown toenail at the start of camp and the toe was infected, but all that has cleared. Still the Rockies are giving him time to round into condition.

Also, first basemen Todd Helton, 36, and Jason Giambi, 39, have not appeared in a game. Hawpe, 30, said it could be a few more days before he plays.

“I think they talked about that, regardless if I had an infected toe or not,” Hawpe said. “That was the plan. I’m not in there right now, not because my toe is sore but because I’m getting ready for baseball season.

“Guys who are going to play and are going to be big contributors are getting rest. Everybody talks about guys getting tired at the end of the [regular] season, then you’ve got 30-something Spring Training games scheduled. Position players don’t need that. Thirty-something games are scheduled, in my opinion, for pitchers to get ready.”

In another lineup development, second-year center fielder Dexter Fowler, who missed the first two days of games while recovering from a stomach bug, will make his Cactus League debut Saturday against the Brewers.