SAN DIEGO -- Right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez returned to the Rockies on Saturday ahead of their game vs. the Padres at Petco Park after spending most of the week in Denver with his wife and newborn daughter. Left-handed reliever Sam Howard was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque as Estevez was activated from the family medical emergency leave list.

Estevez’s wife, Margaret, delivered their first child, daughter Samantha, on Monday. Everybody is doing well now, but there were scary moments before and after the delivery. Margaret was diagnosed with preeclampsia -- dangerously high blood pressure -- a few days before Estevez went on leave on Sunday

“They were going to keep her in [the hospital] for two weeks; she was going to have to stay in bed,” Estevez said. “The next day, the baby decided she wanted to go out.

“I was more nervous than scared. The doctors were telling me what can happen, what can not happen. But in the end, the baby didn’t need oxygen; she’s feeding really good. My wife, she was released yesterday.”

Margaret stayed in the hospital several extra days after the delivery until her blood pressure came down. Samantha remains in the neonatal intensive care unit, but she is expected home soon.

It was an emotionally exhausting week, but Estevez was beaming like any new father upon rejoining his teammates.

“I feel great,” Estevez said. “I’m glad they’re both healthy right now.”

Howard had a 7.56 ERA in six appearances after a callup on July 21. Entering Saturday, Estevez ranked second on the Rockies with 51 appearances, and he had a 4.26 ERA with 11 strikeouts per nine innings.