BOSTON -- Just when Jordan Lyles received another chance to acclimate himself to the Major League atmosphere, the right-hander dealt an unfortunate 92-mph fastball on Monday and was sent back to the Minors on Tuesday.
The Rockies activated Jorge De La Rosa from the disabled list on Tuesday so the lefty could start the series opener against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and Lyles was the odd man out. The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque, one day after he hit Pirates righty Ryan Vogelsong with a pitch that caused multiple facial fractures. Lyles took the loss after his 2 1/3-inning effort and was visibly shaken when discussing the unfortunate pitch postgame.
"He seems to be OK. That's certainly something that could shake you up as a pitcher," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "I think you just have to tell yourself it was one pitch that you didn't execute and it got away from you. That's a tough one, but you have to be able to turn the page at times, regardless of how difficult it is."
Lyles began the season in the Colorado rotation but only made it through four starts, going 1-1 with a 7.62 ERA before being sent to Albuquerque in mid-April. He was called up on Friday before make his returning start against Pittsburgh.
"Lyles is having a tough year so far," Rockies' right fielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "It's always hard to see a young player go through that. Sometimes things happen for a reason. He knows he has work to do to get better in the Minor Leagues."
Prior to joining the Rockies in 2014, Lyles spent three years with the Astros, who drafted him in the first round in 2008.
Unfortunately for Lyles, he's had a hard time staying consistent when given an opportunity. Over the course of his six seasons in the Majors, Lyles has never had an ERA below 4.30. In 109 career games, he has a 5.22 ERA.
Right-hander Chad Bettis, who is set to start on Wednesday night in Boston, said he knows how hard it is to get acclimated to the Major Leagues.
"It's something I went through in 2014, moving up and down as a reliever, Bettis said. "So it's a tough spot to be in, but I think he'll come out on the higher end of it."
Worth noting
• Jason Motte, who's been out since Spring Training with a shoulder sprain, is expected to return to the bullpen either Wednesday or Thursday. He struck out two batters over a scoreless inning Monday in his latest minor league rehab appearance with Albuquerque.
"I'm probably not going to put him in the eighth inning of a one-run game his first night back, but I'll try to ease him in," Weiss said. "I see him pitching somewhere late in the game."
• Ryan Raburn, batting .300 and having experience playing in the American League, is expected to be the Rockies' DH for their series against the Red Sox. He started at DH on Monday.