With Brad Hawpe no longer on the team, Ryan Spilboroghs could see a significant bump in playing time. Spilboroghs has played in 98 games this season for the Rockies and he is 68 of 252 (.270 avg, .792 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 9 homers, 25 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Spilboroghs has always been a solid backup for the Rockies so it will be interesting to see how he does with more P.T. in the next month and a half.

The Rockies have designated 35-year old lefty reliever Randy Flores for assignment. Flores pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Rockies this year and he was 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He pitched in 82 games (2 starts) in three years with the Rockies and he was 2-3 with a 5.43 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. The Rockies might be able to get something for Flores if they can find a trade partner for him.

UPDATE: (8/25/2010) - The Rockies have lost Flores on waivers to the Twins.

The Rockies have released 31-year old outfielder Brad Hawpe. Hawpe played in 88 games for the Rockies this year and he was 66 of 259 (.255 avg, .776 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 7 homers, 37 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He played in 816 games in his 7 years with the Rockies and he was 749 of 2,673 (.280 avg, .866 OPS) with 372 runs scored, 118 homers, 464 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Hawpe worked hard for the Rockies but he just didn’t seem to have it anymore.

UPDATE: The Rockies have designated Hawpe for assignment instead of releasing him outright. That gives them 10 days to trade or release him.

The Rockies have placed 28-year old righty reliever Taylor Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list with back stiffness. Buchholz has pitched in 7 games (0 starts) for the Rockies this year and he is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. The Rockies have recalled Jhoulys Chacin who will join the starting rotation in Jeff Francis’ place. Chacin has pitched in 19 games (12 starts) for the Rockies this year and he is 5-8 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

The Rockies have placed 29-year old lefty starting pitcher Jeff Francis on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder soreness. Francis has started 16 games for the Rockies this year and he is 4-4 with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The Rockies will likely call up righty Jhoulys Chacin to replace Francis in the starting rotation until he’s ready to return to action. I expect that Chacin will do a solid job while Francis is getting healthy.