Briefs VALAIKA NOW IN ROCKIES’ FIRST-BASE MIX

tempe, ariz.» The Ian Desmond dominoes continue to fall for the Rockies after the first-time first baseman suffered a broken hand a week ago. Mark Reynolds probably will begin the season as the starter at first base, but the Rockies need options.

Saturday, they turned to second baseman-turnedshortstop Pat Valaika, a 24-year-old minor-leaguer who played in 13 games with the Rockies last year after his September callup.

Valaika took groundballs with coaches, alongside Reynolds and Jordan Patterson, who has played the most innings (57) at first base this spring.

“As I’ve gotten older in the game, I realized quality work is better than quantity. And the more positions you play, the more versatile you are and the more valuable you are,” Valaika said.

The idea of the Rockies moving him to first base, he said, was mutual. “If I can play all four positions, that will be better for me in the long run,” he said.

Valaika seems to fill the same role as veteran Alexei Amarista in the Rockies’ roster shuffle, as a utility infielder. But Valaika may offer more pop at the plate.

David Dahl, who stressed a rib bone on his right side early in spring, remains unable to participate with the Rockies. But an MRI on Friday, he hopes, will give him a green light to return.

“Still waiting on the results. But I feel better than I have in a long time,” Dahl said. “I’m very bored.”

Dahl said his best-case scenario is to be back one or two weeks into the season.

Right-handed reliever Jairo Diaz, who had Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery more than a year ago, was scheduled to pitch in his first spring game Saturday but was moved to Monday. Diaz should return to game strength in April. … Righthander Jeff Hoffman, in consideration for one of two open rotation spots, will pitch a minor-league game Sunday against a Cubs Triple-A roster, throwing five innings or 75 pitches. Jon Gray will pitch the Cactus League game on the same limits.