MESA, Ariz. — The lefty-heavy Rockies signed right-handed hitter Ryan Raburn to a minor-league contract Friday as a potential platoon swing player in the outfield.

“We struggled against left-handers last year — mightily,” manager Walt Weiss said. “Raburn has a great track record, especially against lefties.”

Raburn can earn $1.5 million if he is on Colorado’s big-league roster by March 28. He batted .301 and hit eight home runs in 82 games with Cleveland last year. The $3 million team option on his contract for 2016 was declined by the Indians and he became a free agent.

The Rockies will start three left-handed hitters in the outfield: Gerardo Parra, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez. Raburn gives the Rockies the option of a right-handed hitter off the bench.

“In the outfield we were relatively thin, as far as our depth,” Weiss said.

Raburn, 34, had 201 plate appearances last year but just 25 against right-handed pitchers. Cleveland platooned him as a designated hitter and outfielder. He hit .325 against left-handed pitchers.

Raburn has also played second, third and first base. He will compete with Brandon Barnes as a backup outfielder and with Rafael Ynoa as a utility infielder at spring training.

Delayed starts

One of two pitchers at the top of the Rockies’ rotation — Jorge De La Rosa or Chad Bettis — probably will be the opening-day starter at Arizona. But they still haven’t pitched in a Cactus League game at spring training. Their late starts, manager Walt Weiss said, are a function of them throwing more bullpen sessions during the winter months.

“They don’t have to be built up like some other guys,” Weiss said.

The Rockies are the only National League West team yet to name an opening-day starter.

Shortstop update

The Rockies remain undecided on their starting shortstop, with veteran Jose Reyes in suspension limbo because of a domestic violence charge. His replacement, Weiss said, will be determined by defense. Trevor Story, Cristhian Adames and Daniel Descalso are in the running to be the starter.

“It’s a critical, demanding position defensively,” Weiss said. “That’s how it’s been historically. If you get a guy who can impact the game on both sides, that’s a star. There aren’t a lot of those guys. So the defensive part is big.”

Chris Rusin report

Left-hander Chris Rusin, who missed his scheduled start Friday against Oakland because of a strained middle finger, is on the Rockies’ rotation bubble. But he is out of minor-league options, putting him in a difficult spot. A bullpen job, though, is an option.

“We’re looking at him as a starter, but as a fall-back plan that (relief role) would be in play,” Weiss said.

Recap: Athletics 9, Rockies 4

At Hohokam Stadium

A 20-minute bus ride to Hohokam Stadium led to a long afternoon Friday for the Rockies in a blowout loss. The Rockies used mostly minor leaguers, and it showed. Right-hander Shane Carle, acquired in a little-noticed trade with Pittsburgh in 2014, was hit hard when not issuing walks. In the second inning, he walked back-to-back batters, Billy Butler and Matt Olson, who both scored. The A’s batted around against Carle before he was pulled with two outs. “It’s all about command,” Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. “They were in bad counts. That’s something you can’t do at this level.” Carle’s replacement, Konner Wade, a right-hander dragged over from minor-league camp, walked two more in the second. Another minor-leaguer, Ryan Carpenter, left the gates open again in the sixth. He allowed two runs on three hits, including a home run to Franklin Barreto and a triple to Joey Wendle in back-to-back at-bats.

Hits: Right-hander Carlos Estevez allowed a double in the eighth but bounced back to strike out two hitters. “There’s some deception there with his delivery,” Weiss said. “He’s a little funky.”

• Shortstop Cristhian Adames kept pace with Trevor Story’s strong spring start in a battle for Colorado’s shortstop job. He doubled in the second and scored on DJ LeMahieu’s RBI single.

• Gerardo Parra started in center field for the first time in a Rockies uniform. He was 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI single and a walk.

Misses: LeMahieu, Nick Hundley, Brandon Barnes, Kyle Parker and Matt Swanner each struck out twice.

What’s next: Rockies (1-2) host the San Diego Padres at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale at 1:05 p.m. (No TV; 850-AM radio)

Rockies pitchers: RH Tyler Chatwood, LH Yohan Flande, RH Jairo Diaz, RH Jason Motte, RH Brian Schlitter, RH Matt Carasiti, RH Scott Oberg.

Nick Groke, The Denver Post