Francis recalled, giving Rockies 13 pitchers

NEW YORK -- Having placed Carlos Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list, the Rockies on Wednesday recalled left-hander Jeff Francis from Triple-A Colorado Springs to fill the open roster spot.

Colorado manager Walt Weiss said Francis, 32, gives the Rockies a much-needed arm out of the bullpen. With the Rockies this season, Francis was 2-5 with a 6.63 ERA in 12 games, 11 of which were starts.

"We've been a little shorthanded," Weiss said. "But going back home, Jeff bumps us back up to 13 pitchers. It'll be good to see him in that role."

Francis has had two stints in Triple-A this season, going 2-2 with a 4.34 ERA in 11 games -- including six starts.

The Rockies first sent Francis down on June 20, then recalled him on July 28. But he was optioned to Colorado Springs again on Aug. 1 to make room on the roster for pitcher Chad Bettis.

Now he's back because the Rockies were in need of another reliever. Weiss said Edgmer Escalona, who dealt with a sore left calf after being hit with a line drive Thursday in Atlanta, was sick and couldn't pitch.

"The previous days he was dealing with that comebacker," Weiss said. "But yesterday he was sick. He was sick on the off-day and then yesterday. He wasn't even here, he didn't come to the park."

Wilton Lopez had to pitch two innings in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.