Colorado Rockies' first spring cuts include Rosell Herrera, Tommy Murphy

The Colorado Rockies made their first round of spring training roster cuts on Saturday, according to a team press release.

Utility man Rosell Herrera and right-handed reliever Jorge Rondon, both of whom are on the 40-man roster, were optioned to the minors. Right-hander Gus Schlosser, one of the two pitchers the Rockies acquired from the Atlanta Braves during the offseason, and catcher Tommy Murphy are among the non-rostered players reassigned to minor league camp.

Herrera, 22, has made appearances in the infield and outfield this spring, notching three hits and a walk in 14 Cactus League plate appearances. He's likely due for a repeat year at High-A Modesto, where he struggled to a .244/.302/.335 line in 2014. Rondon, 27, has allowed four hits in 2⅓ scoreless innings, notching four strikeouts and walking a batter. It's a bit of a surprise that the hard-throwing reliever won't get a longer look in the desert, but it also speaks to the Rockies' improved bullpen depth.

Schlosser, 25, allowed two runs on four hits in two innings in his lone official Cactus League outing, which came on Thursday. Before that, Schlosser struck out four batters in two perfect innings in a "B" game against Chicago White Sox minor leaguers. Schlosser will likely be used as a reliever going forward, Rockies manager Walt Weiss told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.

Murphy, 23, has a pair of singles and two walks in nine plate appearances. The University of Buffalo product impressed Rockies brass last spring and was thought to be on the fast track to the majors before a shoulder injury derailed his second full professional season. Murphy will probably begin 2015 at Double-A New Britain after managing a .213/.321/.415 line in 27 games at that level a year ago.

Here's the full list of moves made by the Rockies on Saturday:

Optioned to minors (2)

UT Rosell Herrera
RHP Jorge Rondon

Reassigned to minor league camp (7)

LHP Buddy Boshers
LHP Yohan Flande
LHP Jason Gurka
RHP Justin Miller
RHP Jose Ortega
RHP Gus Schlosser
C Tommy Murphy