Rockies option Christian Friedrich, Kyle Parker and 2 others to minors

Not long after the Rockies announced the demotion of five players to minor-league camp, the team decided to add four more to the list.

Colorado optioned left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich, infielder Cristhian Adames and outfielders Kyle Parker and Kent Matthes to the minors late on Thursday, bringing the total number of players remaining on the major-league spring training roster to 51.

Friedrich is probably the one guy of the four included in the latest round of cuts who had a decent shot of breaking camp with the Rockies. He was in the battle for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, but that seems to be between only Franklin Morales and Jordan Lyles now, even though highly touted prospects Jon Gray and Eddie Butler have yet to be reassigned. For what it's worth, Morales and Lyles might only be battling for one start, as Jhoulys Chacin could realistically be ready to return from the disabled list by the time the Rockies go through their rotation twice during the regular season.

Friedrich has allowed three runs on seven hits in 3⅔ innings this spring. He has notched six strikeouts and issued three walks. Parker has flashed good power in 24 plate appearances, smacking three doubles and a homer while going 6-for-23 with a walk and seven strikeouts.

Parker and Matthes will have two options remaining after this season while Adames will have one. Friedrich will be out of options this time next year, though he could come attached with a special exemption that would give the Rockies another option year for him because of missed time due to injury.

Tyler Matzek, Rosell Herrera, Jayson Aquino, Kraig Sitton and Raul Ferndandez were optioned earlier today in the Rockies' first round of 40-man roster cuts. The team also reassigned non-roster invitees Christian Bergman, Ryan Casteel, Angelys Nina and Scott Oberg earlier this week.