Inflammation in shoulder lands Francis on 15-day DL

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 2, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.

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Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Colorado Rockies placed pitcher Jeff Francis on the disabled list with inflammation in his left shoulder.

Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis tried to downplay speculation about physical problems created by the fact he had changed his arm angle and wasn't getting proper sink on the ball.

One year after equaling a club record with 17 wins, Francis was uncomfortable with what he felt would look like an excuse for a 3-7 record and 5.67 ERA.

Wednesday, the speculation was confirmed.

Francis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left shoulder and veteran left-hander Mark Redman was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take Francis' spot in the rotation, beginning tonight against Florida.

Francis underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam in the morning. The exam came back negative.

"Early in the season, I believe he was having mechanical issues, but it has become physical," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Whether one led to the other, we don't know. I am confident that (the inflammation) is impeding his ability to maintain the arm slot that he was able to consistently repeat before this season."

Francis struggled in his first two starts, then had three consecutive starts in which he had no-decisions, pitching seven innings each time and allowing six runs total.

In 12 starts since, the consistency was missing. He went 3-5 with a 5.99 ERA and pitched into the seventh inning only twice.

Francis said the soreness is similar to issues he has dealt with during previous offseasons when he was lifting weights, and after a week of rest, it would disappear.

Francis said once he warmed up for a game, he did not have actual pain when pitching but admitted he was not comfortable with his mechanics.

"It's not like I can't go out and pitch," he said. "It's not like I am in pain on the mound. But it is tough not pitching like I know I can. If you watch the games, I am throwing pitches that previously I make and get outs, but I am not getting outs on them."

Trainer Keith Dugger said Francis will rest for several days, after which his condition will be re-evaluated.

The "hope" is he will miss three starts and be ready to return to the active roster after the July 14-16 All-Star break.

• July 3, 2008

  11:19 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BoostHard writes:

  Good for him for sitting out. I think he will come back in better shape. He has been having 1 bad inning almost every start. He might be 7-7 right now if the offense was there in a few of those games.
  Im just not looking forward to seeing Redman in the starting rotation again....... anyone remember a 10 run 1st inning earlier this season??????

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