Rockies option Josh Rutledge, Michael McKenry and Ryan Wheeler to minors

The Rockies optioned catcher Michael McKenry and infielders Josh Rutledge and Ryan Wheeler to the minors, the team announced on Thursday.

That means Jordan Pacheco and Charlie Culberson are essentially locks to make the 25-man roster. The Rockies are also expected to reassign Paul Janish, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, leaving only one backup infielder on the roster.

Of course, Pacheco and Michael Cuddyer can spell players at certain positions as needed, but it appears there's going to be a massive imbalance between infielders and outfielders. It's possible that the Rockies will keep both of Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson, meaning the team will break camp with six men to patrol the vast lawn at Coors Field.

That's not a guarantee, so that's one decision the Rockies still need to make. Another is whether or not they'll option Jordan Lyles to the minors and insert Franklin Morales into the rotation, which would clear a spot in the bullpen for Tommy Kahnle. The Rockies also might opt to plug in Lyles as a starter and put Morales in a relief role, which would weaken the rotation but give the bullpen two left-handers.

Who knows, there could also be a trade in the works involving one or more of the aforementioned players, as Renck notes. That would be the most exciting -- and in my opinion, helpful -- scenario of all.

In related but expected news, the club also announced it reassigned outfielders Jason Pridie and Tim Wheeler to minor-league camp, meaning the Colorado Springs roster is also beginning to take shape.

Stay tuned for more roster updates as they unfold. And, for help keeping track of all the moves, remember to visit Rockies Roster regularly.