SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — At the end of last season, Tyler Chatwood’s right elbow still didn’t feel right. Inflammation remained and there still was fluid buildup and discomfort.

Two weeks into October, after consulting with Rockies trainer Keith Dugger, the right-handed pitcher had arthoscopic elbow surgery.

“It turns out I had a bone chip in there,” Chatwood said Monday. “A pretty good sized one, as it turns out.”

The hard-throwing Chatwood, who went 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 starts last year, was leery about going under the knife.

“I was kind of nervous to go in and get it done because the MRI didn’t show anything,” he said. “So I was hesitant at first, but I’m glad that I did it.”

With spring training underway, Chatwood is feeling fine.

“I’m ready to go all out, no problems at all,” he said.

Still, the Rockies plan to ease Chatwood into action when Cactus League play begins Feb. 28.

Leading role. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu is a legitimate candidate to replace the departed Dexter Fowler as the Rockies’ leadoff hitter, manager Walt Weiss said.

“Absolutely DJ is an option,” Weiss said. “He’s a guy that can do that.

“His on-base percentage may not be prototypical of a leadoff guy. But I think that’s going to develop because he has such great instincts for the game. That’s going to be part of his game you will see him improve on.”

LeMahieu hit .280 and stole 18 bases last season, but his on-base percentage was only .311.

Tough odds. Last week, team owner Dick Monfort said he could envision the Rockies winning 90 games this year if they stay healthy. The oddsmakers aren’t quite so bullish.

The Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook lists the Rockies at 60-1 to win the World Series. The National League West rival Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorite at 5-1.

The Rockies are 15-1 longshots to win the NL West and are predicted to finish last for the third consecutive season. The sports book has the Rockies winning 76 games, two more than last season.

Tough talk. Reliever Matt Belisle knows what the Rockies are up against and says he’s tired of “being bullied,” but he believes the time has come for the team to fight back.

“I don’t care how good we look on paper and how well we play, we have a tough division. But that gets the best out of you,” Belisle said. “Walt talks about a chip on your shoulder. You’ve got to have an edge. I’m sick of it, sick of being bullied around.”

It’s called respect. Chatwood is wearing No. 27 now, having given his No. 32 jersey to new closer LaTroy Hawkins.

Chatwood demanded no compensation, figuring that the 41-year-old Hawkins, who is entering his 20th big-league season, has earned the number.