While the Orioles search for an Opening Day starter continues, out in Scottsdale, Colorado Rockies skipper Jim Tracy named former Bird Jeremy Guthrie his team’s starter on their season opener April 6.

He’ll face the Astros in Houston to begin the season.

Guthrie was traded from Baltimore to Colorado on February 6 for Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom.  In three starts this Spring he’s earned a 2.31 ERA with five strikeouts and two walks.  Guthrie pitched Thursday night against the D-Backs’ Triple-A affiliate and laid down two sacrifice bunts.

In Interleague play with the Orioles, Guthrie racked up two extra base-hits in his 22 at bats.  They were his only two hits.

You’ve got to be happy for Guthrie.  He was the Orioles top of the rotation guy and was plagued by poor run support during his five seasons in Baltimore.  He lost 17 games in 2009 with a 4.33 ERA.  That’s unreal.

Though the Rockies face an up hill battle in the NL West, he’s certainly surrounded by more talent in Colorado than he was in Baltimore.  Good luck Jeremy.