July 22, 2008 4:55 PM

A pitching scenario; July 22

In the wake of Kip Wells' disastrous outing Monday, manager Clint Hurdle wasn't ready to name his rotation going forward. But it would not be a surprise if Wells is not a part of the future planning, even though though Jeff Francis won't be ready to fill the next rotation void.

With Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez set to pitch every fifth day, and Francis scheduled to make a second rehabilitation start Saturday for Double-A Tulsa and throw about 75 pitches, let's look at the schedule, which contains an off day Thursday.

Tonight _ Jimenez

Wednesday _ Glendon Rusch vs. LA

Thursday _ off

Friday _ Cook at Cincinnati

Saturday _ Jorge De La Rosa at Cincinnati. He would take the mound that night with six days' rest. Considering he allowed one run in six innings against Pittsburgh in his last outing, De La Rosa merits another start and will be pushed back because Cook can pitch on his normal fifth day with a day off Thursday,

Sunday _ Jimenez at Cincinnati

Monday _ Rusch at Pittsburgh

Tuesday _ This would be Wells' turn, in Pittsbrugh, but after Monday's game against the Dodgers, it would seem unlikely he will be back in the rotation, even though the alternatives are hard to find.

Wednesday _ Cook at Pittsburgh

Thursday _ De La Rosa or Francis at Florida. If Francis is deemed ready, De La Rosa can be pushed back to Sunday Aug. 3 at Florida when the Rockies conclude their 10-day trip.

The lineups

Rockies

CF Taveras
2B Baker
LF Holliday
1B Atkins
C Iannetta
RF Hawpe (L)
SS Tulowitzki
3B Stewart (L)
RHP Jimenez

Dodgers
RF Kemp
LF Ethier (L)
C Martin
2B Kent
1B Loney (L)
SS Garciaparra
CF Jones
3B LaRoche
LHP Kershaw (L)

--Jack Etkin/Tracy Ringolsby

Posted by Jack Etkin at 4:55 PM | Comments (0)