Chase Dollander is coming to Coors Field.

Rockies manager Bud Black on Friday said Dollander, the franchise’s top pitching prospect, will make his MLB debut on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics at Coors Field.

“He’s got a good, live arm. We saw him in spring training. I like his stuff. It’s real stuff. It’s a good fastball with velocity. He can spin the ball. A little bit of feel for a (changeup). I’m looking forward to watching this unfold and watching his career,” Black said pregame for the home opener at Coors Field. “I like trying to help young players. He’s built the right way in a lot of areas. He’s got a good arm. Good talent. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He does a lot of things right for a young player.

“Now, it’s just a matter of whether that can translate on the field.”

Dollander, 23, was the ninth pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of Tennessee. He earned a spot in the Futures Game last season after posting a 2.59 ERA (23 starts) between High-A and Double-A. Following a mostly positive spring training, the hard-throwing right-hander did not make the opening day roster.

“It was a good conversation,” Black said. “He still has some things to learn at this level. It’s been a pretty fast track. But we’ve seen it with other young pitchers who have come up relatively quickly and got an opportunity. Without getting too elaborate, a little bit of his issue has been the efficiency. … We’ve got to get a handle on that. But he understood.”

Opportunity knocked when Austin Gomber’s shoulder injury opened a spot in the rotation. Black said the starting southpaw is expected to “two or three weeks” before pitching again. Black reiterated that Dollander will not be making a spot start on Sunday.

“He will be in the rotation,” Black said.

Dollander touts a strong four-pitch mix including a fastball that touches 99 mph. Expectations are high that he will anchor the rotation for years to come. His Rockies career will begin Sunday at Coors Field.

“My message to him when we talk tomorrow is to just be yourself,” Black said. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

KB held out

Designated hitter Kris Bryant did not appear in the lineup on Friday. He has played in just four-of-seven games to begin this season. Black did not attribute his absence to health concerns.

Bryant has struggled at the plate going 1-for-14 (.071) to start the year.

“I think another day for KB is what he needs,” Black said pregame Friday. “Another guy who has been pressing, right? He cares a lot. His swing at the end of spring training wasn’t where we needed it to be. I thought that things would change once the season started. Which happens at times. That’s what you hope for. But his swings in Tampa and in Philly weren’t where we expect KB’s swings to be. … He’ll have a good day of work today in the cage.”

Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman filled the DH role against the Athletics. Black said that Bryant will return to the lineup Saturday.

Historic cold

The 37-degree temperature at first pitch was tied for the second-coldest home opener in Coors Field history.

“It was the same (energy). It’s always good here. The fans are great,” infielder Ryan McMahon said postgame. “The boys really feed off the vibe that the fans bring. So, snow, 30 degrees, it didn’t matter. We still felt it.”

Black added: “It was a tough day, for sure. I think there was an expected sellout. I’m sure if it was a nice day every seat would be taken. I’m sure some people stayed away because of the weather, not knowing what to expect. … When the game started, a nice crowd, there was energy in the ballpark, which is as expected from Denver.”

Below is the chart of the top-five coldest home openers in Coors Field history.

—2018: 27 degrees

—2025: 37 degrees

—2004: 37 degrees

—1995: 42 degrees

—1998: 44 degrees