PHOENIX — Kyle Kendrick, the Rockies' most notable offseason addition, gave the most succinct possible answer when asked whether he is searching for reasons behind his early-season slump.
"No," he said.
Kendrick knows the problem. So does the rest of the wobbly starting rotation with two or more starts this year — from veteran Jorge De La Rosa to the three young arms who made the opening-day roster for the first time. They are walking way too many hitters and building up huge pitch counts that prevent them from pitching deep into games. And, by extension, their short outings are wearing down the Rockies' brightest surprise: a stout bullpen.