Rockies exercise club option for Jorge De La Rosa

The Colorado Rockies have exercised their 2014 club option for left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, according to a team announcement. De La Rosa, who is at the end of the three-year, $31.5 million contract that he signed before the 2011 season, will earn $11 million in 2014. Troy Renck of the Denver Post notes that the sides are likely to discuss a contract extension this winter in hopes of keeping De La Rosa in Colorado past the 2014 season

De La Rosa, 32, rebounded strongly in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, posting a 16-6 record and 3.49 ERA in 30 starts for Colorado in 2013. The southpaw helped stablize a young starting rotation along with right-handers Tyler Chatwood and Jhoulys Chachin, and will provide an important veteran presence for the staff again in 2014. Outside of De La Rosa, Chatwood and Chacin, the Rockies' starting staff is full of question marks heading into next season, and the team will likely look to add a veteran starter through free agency this winter.

In ten major league seasons with the Brewers (2004-2006), Royals (2006-2007) and Rockies (2008-2013), De La Rosa is the owner of a lifetime 70-57 record, 4.70 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 221 appearances (159 starts). He is slated to become a free agent after next season if the Rockies are unable to sign him to a long-term extension this winter.