EXTRA WORK

In addition to their regular exhibition game against Texas today, the Rockies play a morning "B" game against the Chicago White Sox at the White Sox’s minor league complex. Jeff Francis will start that game. With Francis set in the rotation, the Rockies will make sure he gets in his work, but they will use their regular exhibition game against Texas at Hi Corbett Field to see how rookie Ubaldo Jimenez does against big-league hitters.

Brian Lawrence, who missed last season following surgery, will make his spring debut. Dave Veres, who is attempting to come back after hip replacement surgery, will also pitch in the "B" game as a follow-up to pitching a 1-2-3 inning in Friday’s intrasquad game.

GAME DAY

Troy Tulowitzki, battling Clint Barmes for the starting shortstop job, went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs and three RBI in the 14-7 victory against Arizona on Sunday night at Tucson Electric Park. It’s the Rockies’ only night game of the spring.

Danny Bautista gave up five runs in one inning, but all were unearned. With two out and two runners on, he gave up a double, single and Scott Hairston’s home run. ... The Rockies scored eight runs in the fourth when the first eight batters reached base and scored before an out, including Alexis Gomez, who tripled home two runs and scored on a wild pitch.

READY

First baseman Todd Helton missed his second game in a row because of inflammation in his right knee, but he is not concerned. Helton said he will play in today’s game against Texas. Jeff Baker started in place of Helton at first, a position Baker is being asked to learn this spring to add to the playing time he will get. Baker is expected to back up at first, third, left field and right field.

Right-handed pitcher Danny Graves, who has been sidelined because of a strained muscle in his side, said he is feeling better. Now it’s a matter of facing hitters in batting practice before he gets slotted into a spring game.