Eddie Butler Still In Mix For Opening Series?

Sep 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

News from Thomas Harding and Patrick Saunders this afternoon on Eddie Butler’s preparation and health in regards to Opening Day:

That would surely be interesting.

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We know Kyle Kendrick will throw on Opening Day in Milwaukee, and Jordan Lyles will now start game two.

With Tyler Matzek pitching the home opener against the Cubs, that leaves two rotation spots open – game three in Milwaukee, and then, presumably, game two against the Cubs – before the rotation flips back over to Kendrick.

Smart money assumed Christian Bergman had probably the inside track to game three against the Brewers after Jorge De La Rosa and David Hale went down with injury and Chad Bettis was optioned to the minor leagues.

But, that may not be the case if it turns out Butler is healthy enough to pitch.

Remember, the Rockies have an off day on Thursday, April 9; if they wanted, the Rockies could open with four pitchers instead of five and use the off day to their advantage.

That would mean only needing to find a Brewers game three starter (between Bergman, Butler, and probably Chad Bettis) and letting Kendrick start game two against the Cubs, instead of game three.

We’ll keep you updated with how that all plays out.

In the meantime, the biggest news: Eddie Butler is not seriously injured if he’s still being considered to pitch in the opening series. That’s a great thing!