Rockies select LHP Yohan Flande, option RHP Miguel Castro

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies made a 40-man and 25-man roster move today, selecting the contract of left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande. To make room for the 30-year-old the Rockies optioned Miguel Castro to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Flande has pitched 42.1 innings in 18 games this year for the Isotopes, good for a 3-3 record with a 4.25 ERA. With the Rockies using six men in their bullpen last night their relievers were drained, hence to the move to bring up Flande and use him as the long man.

In 35 games at the big league level (25 starts), Flande has a 4-11 record and a 4.95 ERA. Perhaps more notable for the Rockies is the demotion of Castro, who has struggled since his injury early on this year. The right-hander was a member of the Troy Tulowitzki trade. In 14.2 innings across 19 games this season he has allowed 10 earned runs on 18 hits. He has struck out just 12 in that period while walking five and he has allowed five of his 11 inherited runners to score.

“I think there’s some elements that are tied to his elements,” manager Walt Weiss told of Castro’s struggles. “Timing over the rubber, but he’s got such a big arm that there’s some margin for error. The fastball command has been a little sketchy, getting that back is a big key.