28 players on roster for opener

The Rockies on Thursday announced their 28-man roster for opening day.

It will be a milestone day for veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon, 35, who’s on the opening-day roster for the ninth time, surpassing Larry Walker and tying Carlos González and Troy Tulowitzki for the second-most in franchise history behind Todd Helton’s 16.

Right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence and backup shortstop Alan Trejo are on a big-league roster on opening day for the first time.

Also, Friday will mark the first opening day as an active player for starting second baseman Brendan Rodgers. He was on the injured list for the 2021 opener.

Following is a breakdown of the Rockies’ roster for Friday’s game:

Right-handed pitchers (11): Daniel Bard, Jhoulys Chacín, Alex Colomé, Carlos Estévez, Ashton Goudeau, Tyler Kinley, Chad Kuhl, Germán Márquez, Antonio Senzatela, Jordan Sheffield and Lawrence.

Left-handed pitchers (3): Ty Blach, Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber.

Catchers (2): Elias Díaz, Dom Nuñez

Infielders (5) C.J. Cron, José Iglesias, Ryan Mcmahon, Rodgers and Trejo.

Outfielders (5): Kris Bryant, Yonathan Daza, Randal Grichuk, Sam Hilliard and Blackmon.

Infielder/outfielders (2): Garrett Hampson and Connor Joe.

Right-hander Peter Lambert (elbow) begins the season on the 10-day injured list, while lefty Ryan Rolison (shoulder) and right-hander Scott Oberg (blood clots) are on the 60-day IL.

Lefty reliever Lucas Gilbreath and righty reliever Robert Stephenson were poised to be on the opening-day roster but are now on the COVID-19 IL after testing positive for the virus.

Major league rosters were expanded to 28 players because of the labor lockout that delayed spring training and opening day. The rosters will be reduced to 26 players on May 1.