Making room on the roster for Francis is Esmil Rogers who is out of options on his contract and played his final game with Colorado last Friday, giving up three runs in the ninth and increasing his ERA to 8.06. He will most likely be picked up, as he isn’t the worst pitcher on the market, but you just can’t trust him with any semblance of a close game.
I’m timid about Francis returning because the Rockies are fresh out of pitchers to call up that could be any better than what is all ready on hand. Hopefully, his shoulder will hold up, and of course, it would be beneficial to all if he can play as he did in 2007 when he went 17-9 for Colorado.
Since that wonderful season, which ended for him in a loss to the Red Sox in the World Series, he has gone 14-32 with Colorado and Kansas City. Last season, he and Jeremy Guthrie led the league in losses – 16 for Francis, 17 for Guthrie – which just naturally scares the hell out of me as they are both on the same roster together.
I pray that Francis can at least be serviceable as the Rockies are fresh out of options when it comes to the starting rotation. Every pitcher except for Guthrie and Juan Nicasio have been sent down or released. It could be a long wait for the next “fresh face” when Jorge De La Rosa returns, possibly next month.
In the meantime, the Rockies are going to have to find a way to win again as they are skidding back in the standings with the loss of Troy Tulowitzki. The team simply cannot win on the road or consistently at home, where Carlos Gonzalez plays his best ball.
Follow me on Twitter @CoryWhitmer for game thoughts and general sports trash talk.