Francis really struggled Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Image: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

When Jeff Francis returned to the Colorado Rockies last season we knew it had the chance to be short-lived. The attachment to him as a minor league retread would never be as strong as it was to the staff ace who helped the team to its first and only World Series appearance. He was a fringe, back of the rotation guy at best, and even with some success in 2012 we knew that this stint with the franchise was likely going to brief.

Sure enough the Denver Post’s Troy Renck reports that Francis’s locker was cleaned out on Wednesday. It seems clear at this point that Francis will lose his spot in favor of Roy Oswalt, who will make his much-anticipated Rockies debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals. Even with Nicasio’s struggles, it makes the most sense to move Francis off the roster. The Rockies know his ceiling, whereas Nicasio still has some developing to do (not to mention the fact that he throws 95 mph).

There does remain a possibility that Francis would accept an assignment with the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Due to his service time that will be up to him. It might be wise for Francis to consider it, because one imagines that it will be difficult for him and his 6+ ERA to catch on with another Major League team. But until that time we have to assume we have seen the last of Francis in a Rockies uniform.

I love Jeff Francis because he loves the Colorado Rockies. That makes it difficult to say goodbye, but it is also the only reason left to keep him around at this point. The harsh reality is that he has little to offer anymore to any team that hopes to contend. Last year the Rockies did not have that hope. This year they do, and that’s why Francis is likely on his way out, for good this time.

Young Jr. joins the Mets. Image: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Of course in true Rockies tradition it was not enough to have our starter get knocked around. The lineup was no-hit until the sixth inning by Rogers, a former Rockie. Talk about salt in the wound. Rogers has fixed the control issues he had in Denver. Last year as a Rockie his ERA was over eight and he walked better than six every nine innings. This season, his first in Toronto, the walks are down to 2.6 per nine innings with a 3.14 ERA to go with it.

The Rockies scored three in the seventh as they chased Rogers from the game after 89 pitches and just two earned runs. Eight runs is a lot to overcome late and outside of Coors Field. Even thought the Rockies were done scoring runs, and have now lost five games in the last seven tries, the front office was still working after the game.

After being designated for assignment a week ago, Eric Young Jr. was dealt to the New York Mets for pitcher Collin McHugh. EY2, a career .261 hitter, is only hitting .242 this season. Frankly there is not room for Young on the roster if Tyler Colvin is going to be mainstay as the Rockies fourth outfielder. Walt Weiss will not miss his speed thanks to Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler, but there is no way that McHugh will be an immediate help for the Rockies.

Once aquired McHugh was immediately option to AA Tulsa. Probably fitting, considering the 25 year-old has a career record of 0-5 with an ERA of 8.26. Upon further research one might find that only once in 11 starts has McHugh lasted longer than four measly innings. One might also find that in perfect circle of mediocrity that one outing was his Major League debut, which was against the Rockies (as I’m sure you guessed). I don’t claim to know a ton about player development, but I know it should not under any circumstances involve a dartboard and a blindfold.