GAME DAY

Right-handed pitchers Rodrigo Lopez, a candidate to pitch Opening Day, and Jason Hirsh, battling for a rotation spot, each pitched two shutout innings in the intrasquad game Friday. Greg Reynolds, the Rockies' No. 1 draft choice in June, retired all six batters he faced and was credited with a 2-1 victory for Team Runnells, named for Triple-A manager Tommy Runnells, over Team Weiss, named for special assistant Walt Weiss. . . . Right-handed pitcher Danny Graves, a nonroster invitee hoping to earn a spot in the bullpen, has bounced back well enough from a strained muscle in his side and has started throwing off a mound, but he won't pitch in the exhibition game today against the Angels as originally planned. Before he gets into a game, he probably will pitch a simulated game.

DONE DEALS

Third baseman Garrett Atkins and center fielder Willy Taveras had their contracts renewed for 2007 at $400,000. The Rockies agreed to terms with the 20 other players who are not eligible for arbitration. The Rockies have established a tight payroll for players with fewer than three years of big- league service, believing that the players have the right to negotiate significant raises once they can go to arbitration.

FREE SWINGS

The Rockies have agreed to use the designated hitter against the Angels today, even though the game is being played at Hi Corbett Field.

Manager Clint Hurdle said with starting pitchers working only two innings they don't bat anyway, so it gives a position player an opportunity to get four at-bats instead of using pinch hitters.

"When the pitchers start to stretch out, we'll have them hit, because handling a bat is a part of the game," Hurdle said.