Rosario was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. Rosario indicated he was optioned due to extra help needed in the bullpen. He was kind of an odd man out for the Rockies, no longer considered an option as a catcher and stuck behind Justin Morneau at first base. It's a bit surprising that the club hasn't been able to deal him elsewhere, but for now he'll take a spot in the minors and await another opportunity.

Rosario is not listed on the Rockies' lineup card Wednesday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. Rosario's absence from the lineup card could be an indication of a roster move, as John Axford will need a spot freed up for his return to the bullpen. It's unclear exactly what's going on with Rosario, but a trade isn't out of the realm of possibility. His status should be updated at some point providing more clarification as to why he's not on the card.

Rosario is getting the start at first base Friday, the Denver Post's Nick Groke reports. With Clayton Kershaw on the mound the Rockies will look to get as many righties in the lineup as possible, so Justin Morneau will get the day off. In just seven at-bats this year Rosario already has a homer and a double, so when he's in there, he can be a solid play, but it would still be risky to start him in daily leagues against Kershaw away from Coors Field.

Rosario ended up coming off the bench Wednesday against the Brewers, delivering a game-winning pinch-hit home run in the top of the 10th inning to lift the Rockies to a 5-4 victory. Rosario was initially pegged to start at first base Wednesday, but Justin Morneau, who dealing a neck issue, ended up talking his way into the lineup. That didn't stop Rosario from making an impact to those who had him active, as he showcased the kind of power burst off the bench that has made him an enticing target at the catcher spot during his time in the big leagues. While he'll still retain eligibility at catcher in most formats for 2015, Rosario's porous defense behind the plate will result in him seeing most of his duty this season as a pinch-hitter or spot starter at first base when Morneau requires a day off. Rosario should still make for a strong option in daily leagues when he's in the lineup against left-handed pitching, but the lack of guaranteed at-bats he's due to receive on a week-to-week basis will hurt his value in season-long leagues.

Rosario will start at first base against the Brewers on Wednesday, batting sixth, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Rosario lost out to Nick Hundley for primary backstop duties, but could still receive some starts behind the plate and at first base this season. With Morneau out of the lineup Wednesday, his first start will come at first.

Rosario remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. Nick Hundley is starting at catcher for a second straight day, and it appears he will indeed be the primary option behind the plate moving forward. Manager Walt Weiss said recently that he viewed Rosario as "that half-catcher who plays first base," suggesting Rosario's opportunities may be rather limited. He should still see some time at first against left-handed pitching.

Rosario started at catcher and went 2-for-4 with an RBI at the dish in Tuesday's spring training game against the White Sox. Rosario has seen less action behind the plate this spring than Nick Hundley and Michael McKenry, but manager Walt Weiss suggested that all three players will open the season on the 25-man roster. However, given Rosario's well-documented defensive shortcomings at catcher the last four seasons, it seems likely that he'll see most of his usage as the team's top pinch-hitting option off the bench and as an occasional lineup replacement for Justin Morneau. Nonetheless, the lack of the guaranteed starting role Rosario enjoyed in the past figures to result in a significant downgrade in at-bats, and by extension, his fantasy value. Moreover, if the Rockies proceed with their plan to use Hundley and McKenry as their primary catchers, Rosario would likely lose eligibility at the position in the seasons to follow.

Rosario has been listed as third on the Rockies' depth chart at catcher this spring, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports. This essentially corroborates what has been speculated for months: the Rockies no longer view Rosario as a viable regular behind the plate. Rosario spent most of spring training getting his feet wet at first base, and while his defensive liabilities figure to better hidden at that position, he still doesn't figure to see much more than the smaller half of a platoon with Justin Morneau. The 26-year-old is having a strong spring at the dish with a .381 average and two homers over nine Cactus League games, but it won't do much to halt what seems like an inevitable decline at-bats this season.

Rosario smacked two homers and drove in five runs during Tuesday's split-squad game against the Mariners. Though spring training statistics should often be taking with a grain of salt given the high number of minor-league caliber players participating, Rosario's blasts came off lefty Roenis Elias and right-hander Dominic Leone, two pitchers who spent most of last season in the majors and project to make the Mariners' Opening Day roster. Rosario has been the focal point in trade rumors for much of the past few months due to his lack of development behind the plate, and it appears the Rockies remain unsold on the idea of him seeing much duty as catcher, as he's manned the position in just one of his six Cactus League games thus far. That being said, the 26-year-old's game-changing power may just convince the Rockies to keep him around as a weapon off the bench, if nothing else.

Rosario reported to the Rockies' spring training complex early, where he'll spend significant time working on fielding grounders at first base, the Denver Post reports. While his role behind the plate is diminishing, Rosario will likely still be in the mix to catch for the Rockies if needed, but he's going to have a chance to serve as the primary backup to Justin Morneau at first base. Further, the Rockies could use Rosario at first on days when the team is facing a left-handed starter, as Morneau is ideally suited for a strict platoon.