Anderson, Chatwood making strides toward return

DENVER -- Right-handed pitching prospect Eddie Butler, who is being called up from Double-A Tulsa for his Major League debut Friday night against the Dodgers, isn't the only pitching help that could be on the way to the Rockies.

Right-hander Tyler Chatwood (right flexor tendon strain) hasn't felt any ill effects from playing catch over the past week and is now shooting for his first bullpen session Friday. Left-hander Brett Anderson (broken left index finger) had the pins from his surgically repaired hand removed eight days ago and has already played catch six times since.

Chatwood is "shooting for" a late-June return. Anderson has learned to be less concrete with his timetables.

"It's kind of like the deal last year with my foot," said Anderson. "As soon as you set a goal or as soon as you set a date and then you don't hit that date, then you're just spinning."

"Unfortunately, I've been on the DL quite a bit so I've just learned to come in and take it day by day."