Chatwood aces rehab start, appears ready to return

DENVER -- Rockies right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood dominated in an injury rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday night, and should be on schedule to return to the starting rotation against the Giants on Sunday.

Chatwood, knocked out of two starts because of a left hamstring strain that he sustained while running the bases in his final Spring Training start, struck out eight and gave up one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 4-1 victory at Round Rock in a seven-inning doubleheader game.

Chatwood threw strikes on 53 of his 86 pitches and forced eight groundouts. The only run came on a homer by Brett Nicholas.

Righty Jordan Lyles, who replaced Chatwood, has gone 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts. On Monday night, he held the White Sox to one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-1 victory. Lyles has Minor League options, but doesn't look ready to give up his spot.

Chatwood started in the Minors on the same night the Rockies started left-hander Franklin Morales, who has spent much of his career pitching out of the bullpen with the Rockies and Red Sox. Morales, who does not have a Minor League option and must be waived in order to be sent down, beat out Lyles for a rotation spot in Spring Training.

The roster spot for Chatwood could come from the bullpen.