DENVER -- Rockies right-handed relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins has worn No. 32 throughout his career. But after he signed with the Rockies, he thought he'd need new digits because Jason Jennings had it.

His immediate thought was, "I was going to wear 24 this year, opposite of 42 ... 42 will always be close to my heart in honor of Jackie Robinson."

Now, Hawkins will get to honor Robinson for real.

Major League Baseball retired 42 for all teams in 1997, the 50th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. On April 15 this season, the 60th anniversary, MLB has asked selected players to wear 42.

Additionally, Mets manager Willie Randolph will wear it, as will the entire Dodgers team.

It didn't take any convincing when Rockies manager Clint Hurdle presented Hawkins with MLB's invitation.

"When Clint just told me about it, I didn't really have to read the letter before I said, 'I know I'm in,'" said Hawkins, who already has a No. 42 jersey in his locker.

Hawkins has studied the turbulent times of Robinson and Larry Doby of the Indians, who erased the color barrier 11 weeks later in the American League, as well as the African Americans that were denied the opportunity. He said the sacrifices of Robinson and others humble him.

"I don't like to brag on what I know, but I know quite a bit about the history of the game from the African American aspect," Hawkins said. "I know this because I read it and people told me, that Jackie was handpicked because he was the most adept to deal with everything that was going on at the time.

"He went to UCLA and was in the military. They knew his demeanor and knew he could take all the hazing and everything that came with breaking the color barrier. Branch Rickey and them knew exactly what they were doing. A lot of people say he wasn't the best player, but he was the right player."

Where he wants to be: Right-hander Brian Lawrence gave up three runs and 10 hits in six innings during his first injury rehab start, a 5-4 Triple-A Colorado Springs loss to Tucson. Lawrence was not the pitcher of record.

But Lawrence, who missed last season because of shoulder surgery, rejoined the Rockies for the trip to San Diego, and he said he will do his between starts work with the big club.

"I plan on being here, being a part of this team. It's what I'm working toward," Lawrence said. "So I can use the staff here and do the things I have to do with the team. It's going to help."

Lawrence, who felt ready coming out of Spring Training even though the Rockies wanted him to build more arm strength, said he'll throw one or two bullpen sessions between starts, depending on how he feels. The biggest change will be more attention to strengthening and protecting the shoulder with exercise.

The start for the Sky Sox was encouraging because he didn't feel like a guy coming back from an injury.

"It felt normal, nothing that I was thinking about, other than pitching," Lawrence said. "I went out there and approached it as a normal game I'm out there trying to win. That's a good feeling, to go out and compete again."

Keeping him: Outfielder Alexis Gomez, who performed well enough to make the team in Spring Training but lost out to the experience of John Mabry, cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Pitcher Simon Ferrer also cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class A Asheville.