August 17, 2008 9:58 AM

De La Rosa back in rotation; Aug. 17

Jorge De La Rosa is back in the rotation, and Glendon Rusch moves to the bullpen today. De La Rosa will start in Rusch's turn Thursday at Los Angeles.

Manager Clint Hurdle of De La Rosa, "He's growing up and I think a vote of confidence right about now might be something that can help him."

He started Friday at Washington and held the Nationals to three runs and six hits in three innings while winning 4-3 but did walk three, throw two wild pitches and hit one batter. But De La Rosa, 27, has age on his side compared to Rusch, 33, and a more dynamic arm.

Outfielder Scott Podsednik left the club today and will begin a four-game rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday at Salt Lake. Hurdle said Podsednik "potentially could be ready" to be activated Friday for the start of a series with Cincinnati at Coors Field.

With an off day Monday, the Rockies could bring Aaron Cook back on his normal rest Friday and move Livan Hernandez back a day and have him pitch Saturday. Hurdle said it was premature to think about that until Cook pitches today, particularly since back stiffness prevented Cook from starting Thursday.

The lineups

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

Nationals
2B Bonifacio
LF Harris (L)
CF Milledge
1B Boone
3B Belliard
RF Langerhans (L)
SS Orr (L)
C Nieves
LHP Perez (L)

Posted by Jack Etkin at 9:58 AM | Comments (1)