DENVER (AP)—The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies both had extra pep in their step Thursday and not just because Opening Day was 24 hours away.

Players on both teams said they felt fresher heading into April thanks to the state-of-the-art spring training complex they now share in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, which replaced their respective ballparks in Tucson, is the envy of Major League Baseball.

Players said its sellout crowds and regular season buzz helped prepare them for the real thing, and that starts Friday when Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez(notes) faces Arizona ace Ian Kennedy(notes) at Coors Field.

“I think the biggest difference was not having to travel three hours up and three hours back every day,” Colorado catcher Chris Iannetta(notes) said. “It takes a huge toll on your body. So, just the location of the facility, not necessarily even how nice it was, was a big help.”

At their workout Thursday, both teams raved about their new spring digs and said they felt better physically and mentally for not having to endure the long bus rides to and from Phoenix or face lineups of mostly minor leaguers because opponents would leave behind their stars when they trekked to Tucson.

“I think that’s probably THE question: how much is it going to benefit us?” mused Colorado closer Huston Street(notes). When you have sellouts, you can’t help it, you’re a human being, you enjoy it more. And when you enjoy it more, I feel like you get more out of it.

“They’ve given us no excuse,” Street added. “The facilities were perfect. The games felt like games, it felt like we were playing serious baseball with serious consequences. I think it’s going to help. I think it’s going to be a huge difference not only in the way we were able to approach the season but in the profound effect it’s going to have on us in being prepared.”

Although they share the complex, the Rockies got more of a bump than the D-Backs. Their expansive clubhouse and related training facilities stand in stark contrast to their crowded previous home at Tucson’s quaint but antiquated Hi Corbett Field.

“There were so many positives,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki(notes) said. “The facilities were top-notch. … And then getting a chance to play in front of crowds that were pretty big, I think that’s huge going into a season. You want to play in front of those crowds. You want to feel those nerves. So, I think we’re a step ahead of anybody else in that aspect.”

Well, except for the D-Backs.

Like the Rockies, the Diamondbacks had held spring training in Tucson since the franchise was born in 1998, but they had a spiffy ballpark they shared for years with the Chicago White Sox. Still, they were just as glad as the Rockies for the move into a bigger, better ballpark.

“Our environment was great,” D-Backs manager Kirk Gibson said. “You don’t do the bus trips. We played more games than anybody, so we still had a big workload. But it was a great environment to be in. … It was a major league atmosphere.

“But I think in the last week there was a lot more energy in the team in general because they know it’s getting close.”

With the bus rides history, the Diamondbacks capitalized on their time savings by getting in more work and playing more split squad games than anybody.

One Arizona player who’s been taking it easy is shortstop Stephen Drew(notes), who is recovering from a lower abdominal strain that he aggravated during spring training before being shut down again this week.

Drew was held out of the workout Thursday and might not play in this series, although Gibson said Drew would be available to pinch hit if he’s not in the starting lineup.

Without Drew, Gibson will have to juggle his lineup and he asked his staff to fill out lineup cards with their suggestions, which he was planning to peruse Thursday night.

The Rockies player who might have benefited most from the move to Scottsdale is first baseman Todd Helton(notes), who’s been bothered by a balky back in recent years.

“I played a lot more. I got to play consecutively a lot more and I know I can handle back-to-back days and my body feels up to the task,” Helton said. “But I’ll talk to you in June or July and let you know if I still feel that way.”

Third baseman Ian Stewart(notes) made the Rockies’ 25-man opening day roster. Stewart has been bothered by a troublesome left hamstring that threatened to land him on the DL to start the season.

This is a make-or-break year for Stewart, so starting out healthy is paramount.

“He’s a key player in this clubhouse,” Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez(notes) said. “We all know that if he plays the way he (can), we’re going to be the greatest team in baseball.”

NOTES: Rockies vice chairman Dick Monfort said the team has seen a double-digit bump in season ticket sales this year. … Monfort said his brother, owner Charlie Monfort, has fully recovered from his fall in Scottsdale last month that landed him in the hospital and will be at the ballpark Friday.

Read More: Willy Taveras (LF – TEX), Chris Iannetta (C – COL), Ian Stewart (3B – COL), Jose Morales (C – COL), Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are finally ready for Opening Day 2011, as the last roster decisions have been made.

The big news is that starting third baseman Ian Stewart will be healthy and ready to play against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Stewart was involved with an on-field collision earlier in camp and suffered a knee injury that set him back from the other hitters.

The Rockies’ staff showed initial concerns that he would not get enough at-bats during spring training to be fully prepared for the season. There was talk that he could start the season on the 15-day Disabled List, and that his opening roster spot could be taken by outfielder Willy Taveras, who enjoyed a good camp as a minor league signing. Stewart has recovered fully from his injury — hitting two home runs against the Los Angeles Angels AAA squad in a minor league exhibition last night — and will be manning the hot corner on Opening Day.

The last remaining roster decision was at backup catcher. After the Rockies front office voiced their confidence in incumbent starter Chris Iannetta, they signed or traded for multiple options to back up Iannetta. Jose Morales, acquired this offseason in a trade with the Minnesota Twins, has officially won the job. Morales had a breakout camp, batting .400 and posting a 1.156 OPS.

The Rockies’ Opening Day Roster now looks like this:

C Chris Iannetta
C Jose Morales
1B Todd Helton

1B Jason Giambi
2B/IF Jose Lopez
2B/IF Ty Wigginton
SS Troy Tulowitzki
3B Ian Stewart
OF Seth Smith
OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Dexter Fowler
OF Ryan Spilborghs
SP Ubaldo Jimenez
SP Jorge De La Rosa
SP Jhoulys Chacin
SP Jason Hammel
SP Esmil Rogers
RP Huston Street
RP Rafael Betancourt
RP Matt Lindstrom
RP Matt Belisle
RP Felipe Paulino
RP Franklin Morales
RP Matt Reynolds

TULSA, Okla. — The Colorado Rockies should not be too disappointed with this loss.

 Top prospect Christian Friedrich and four relievers carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning and the Tulsa Drillers beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Wednesday night.

 The Drillers are the Rockies’ Double-A affiliate.

 ‘‘There’s no reason to play like that,’’ Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. ‘‘Everybody’s anxious to get home and see their families, but still. More than anything, though, I think Friedrich was just really good.’’

 The Rockies return home to get ready for their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday at Coors Field (2:10 p.m., RMFox).

 Friedrich walked Dexter Fowler and Jonathan Herrera to start the game, but retired the next 17 before leaving with a 5-0 lead after six innings.

 Friedrich pitched six innings and had seven strikeouts.

 Catcher Wilin Rosario, another highly touted prospect, went 3-for-3 with a home run for Tulsa.

 Still, the outcome didn’t matter much. Tulowitzki took it as a positive to see up-and-comers play so well.

 ‘‘I had a smile on face (when Friedrich threw),’’ he said. ‘‘Knowing these guys are going to come and join us soon, that’s a good feeling.’’

 Rockies starter Esmil Rogers allowed eight hits and five runs in 4 innings.

 Chris Nelson broke up the no-hitter when he led off the ninth with a double. Matt Macri, Charlie Blackmon and Jose Rosales had RBI singles for Colorado.

 The Rockies likely regular third basemen Ian Stewart didn’t make the trip as he’s still dealing with hamstring injury. He was in the lineup as a designated hitter against the Fresno Grizzlies in a minor league game earlier Wednesday.

 And there’s still no decision on the starting second baseman, either. Top candidates Ty Wigginton and Jose Lopez were both hitless.

Read more: Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Rockies Red Sox Trade, Rockies Deal Mckenry, Michael Mckenry, Rockies Trade Mckenry, Red Sox get Mckenry, Pro, MLB

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have acquired catcher Michael McKenry from the Colorado Rockies.

Boston sent right-hander Daniel Turpen to Colorado to complete Tuesday’s deal. Turpen was selected by the New York Yankees in last year’s Rule 5 draft, but was returned to the Red Sox on March 13.

The 26-year-old McKenry made his major league debut in September, going hitless in eight at-bats over six games with the

Rockies. He hit .265 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs in 99 games for Triple-A Colorado Springs last season.

To make room for McKenry on the 40-man roster, Boston designated catcher Mark Wagner for assignment.

The 24-year-old Turpen also was traded from San Francisco to Boston for right-hander Ramon Ramirez on July 31.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Read more: Colorado Rockies, Opening Day 2011, Rockies Opening Day, Rockies Start Season, Rockies Preview, Pro, MLB

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies didn’t just move into spiffy new spring training digs this year. They also graduated to elevated expectations.

There is optimism surrounding the young Rockies, who believe they have the talent and depth to contend in the NL West — and will do all they can to keep the World Series champion San Francisco Giants from defending their division crown.

Colorado spent nearly $300 million this winter to improve a club that finished 83-79 last season for third place in the West despite being crippled by injuries and losing 13 of its final 14 games.

It was the little things they worked on during their time at the new state-of-the-art spring training facility in Scottsdale, Ariz., that they hope will make a difference in 2011.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)