Rockies' Yohan Flande: Could be No. 5 starter to begin season

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Flande could be the No. 5 starter to begin the season due to the injury to Jon Gray (abdomen), Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Other candidates for the last rotation spot include right-handers David Hale and Christian Bergman, in addition to left-hander Chris Rusin (finger), although Rusin will miss the beginning of the season with an injury as well. Colorado has also not ruled out the possibility of using a four-man rotation at the onset of the season given that they have two off days in the first week. Flande was not originally considered a viable option for the rotation when he signed with the Rockies in February, but he has been impressive during spring training, posting a 14:1 K/BB ratio in 10 innings of work. This solid showing could vault him into the final rotation spot until Gray returns.