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Shoulder problem still nags Rockies' Francis

By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 23, 2009 at 3 p.m.

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis reacts in the dugout after being pulled against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of a baseball game on Sept. 6, 2008.

Photo by Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis reacts in the dugout after being pulled against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of a baseball game on Sept. 6, 2008.

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Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis continues to be bothered by left shoulder inflammation this winter.

The condition has limited Francis' offseason activity in preparation for spring training next month after dogging him for a forgettable season in 2008.

"It's been better, but it's getting better, though," Francis said Friday when asked how his shoulder felt. "It's slow going at best."

Francis hasn't thrown off a mound this winter. He said earlier this week he began playing catch for the second time this offseason, at a distance of about 90 feet.

During the first week of January, Francis said he underwent another magnetic resonance imaging exam, which revealed nothing in the way of damage to his shoulder.

Francis, who turned 28 earlier this month, went 4-10 with a 5.01 ERA last season, when he was limited to 24 starts. Left shoulder inflammation put him on the disabled list from June 29 through Aug. 5. After being activated, Francis made seven starts, the last Sept. 12, before being shut down for the balance of the season because of his ailing shoulder.

"It's frustrating," Francis said. "I'd hoped it would go away with rest, that I would rest up and I would feel good and I could have a regular offseason. Shoulder aside, I have. My body feels great. I'm in good shape. I've gotten back to the good workouts that have helped me a lot. My shoulder's not cooperating as much as I'd hoped it would."

Francis said surgery was discussed before the most recent MRI, but such talk ended after the test revealed no structural damage.

Francis is enthused about his physical conditioning and entered the offseason optimistic it would be entirely fruitful. The condition of his shoulder altered that thinking.

"Until I started throwing, I felt great," Francis said. "I started throwing in November and then did a lot strengthening, took some time off in December again (because his shoulder was bothering him)."

It's too early to determine whether Francis will be ready for the start of the regular season April 6. But the Rockies have tried to add more depth to their rotation. Left-hander Greg Smith, acquired in the November trade that sent Matt Holliday to Oakland, left-hander Franklin Morales, Jason

Hirsh and Greg Reynolds will vie for a spot on the staff in spring training and could compete for Francis' spot in the rotation, if necessary.

For his part, Francis is looking no further at this point than his conditioning and workout regimen for any one day. He's not busying himself with timelines for returning to a mound.

Comments

  • January 23, 2009

    3:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Willy writes:

    Hate to hear this, especially when it was reproted in the Post that Morales had a back problem last year that is cleared up and there is a bit more optimism about his future. I just got my hopes up that the pitching would be improved this year. Gonna need better pitching without Holiday.

  • January 23, 2009

    8:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    robo5555 writes:

    This is not good....we need Jeff healthy. Looks like the start of our yearly rollercoaster ride...:-( Good thing we got some arms...now they will have to step up.

  • January 23, 2009

    11:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    wiscbum writes:

    While Fogg didn't do diddly squat in Cincy last year, I'd say go get him now. He's not gonna cost much and I'd rather have him than Reynolds, or Rusch or Hirsch (I think is better suited for mid relief on Rusch and Hirsch).

    In either case... go ROCKIES!

  • January 24, 2009

    3:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockiesWin writes:

    Go get a solid starter like Ben Sheets!

  • January 24, 2009

    7:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SheikYurBooty writes:

    It's called "managing client (fan) expectations" or , "better living through lower expectations." Prediction: the Rockies will win 65 -70 games in '09.

  • January 24, 2009

    8:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    This development would explain why O'Dowd went out and focused mainly on getting so many pitchers....However, quantity does not mean quality....If one of these guys doesnt step up and be productive, than all of O'Dowd's moves would be for nothing....

    It should be an interesting Spring for the Rockies.....

  • January 24, 2009

    1:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Eggleston writes:

    Francis wasn't that good anyway; 2007 was his only good year. This is a guy with below average velocity, middle of the road offspeed pitches, and not much deception. I'd like to see what morales, de la rosa, and hirsh can do.

  • January 26, 2009

    7:05 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    Ben Sheets?
    He's spent more time on a major league DL than a major league active roster.