Rockies place De La Rosa on 15-day DL, recall Eddie Butler

Denver – The Colorado Rockies have placed left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa on the 15-day Disabled List in response to a slight groin strain suffered during last night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. De La Rosa has mostly struggled so far in 2016, at 1-3 with a 10.18 ERA. He is used to bouncing back after shaky April’s but many have noted that his velocity is noticeably down, leading to widespread concern that the 36-year-old may be running out of gas in his career.

In a corresponding move, the Rockies recalled Eddie Butler from Triple-A Albuquerque. The 25-year-old righty was once considered one of the top prospects in the Rockies stacked system but has never been able to gain traction at MLB after an injury shortened 2014 and a tumultuous 2015 on the field. Butler was 3-10 with a 5.90 ERA last season, but still showed signs of the talent that made him such a promising prospect to begin with. Pushed out of the rotation to begin 2016 by the returns of Tyler Chatwood and Jordan Lyles, Butler began the season with the Isotopes throwing 14 1/3 innings with a 4.09 ERA. He got knocked around a bit in his first start but has responded with three consecutive games of 6 innings pitched and three runs or less surrendered.

This opportunity could be one of – if not the – last chance for Butler to prove he should be in the rotation of the future. That doesn’t mean this is his last chance to be a valuable member of the club, however. If Butler’s struggles at the MLB level continue, look to see the Rockies try to transition him into the bullpen.

For those wondering, the team in intent on not rushing Jeff Hoffman who still has only 22 inning pitched at the Triple-A level.