Colorado Rockies: Jeff Hoffman’s talent and upcoming rotation decisions

When Anderson returns from injury, he’ll be sent to Triple-A for a rehab assignment. He may be in Albuquerque for longer than expected if he doesn’t show that he’s completely healed from his knee injury that landed him on the disabled list or that his mechanics haven’t improved from what we’ve seen from a season where he’s posted a 5.85 ERA.

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The same can be said for Gray, who will need to get some innings in during a rehab assignment.

If one pitcher (Gray or Anderson) is brought back to the big leagues, reliever Carlos Estevez is sent back down to Triple-A and Marquez moves to the bullpen. If reliever Adam Ottavino comes back from his injury before one of the starters returns, Estevez could be sent down sooner. If that’s the case, the Rockies will be looking for a roster spot (see next paragraph for some possibilities).

When both Anderson and Gray return, it gets very interesting. Estevez is sent down and Marquez is moved to the bullpen for one pitcher spot. With Jordan Lyles improving as the season goes along, he’s still not safe from losing his roster spot to make room for a returning starter. Chad Qualls could also be a victim of the Rockies needing a roster spot.

Still, one of the six starters (Anderson, Chatwood, Freeland, Gray, Hoffman and Senzatela) will have to move to the bullpen as Black has stated he’s not interested in a six-man rotation. It could well be who is the least effective starter at that moment.

Chatwood hasn’t come out of a Major League bullpen since 2012. Freeland has never pitched out of the bullpen. Neither has Anderson. Senzatela and Gray have just once in their minor league careers.

That leaves Hoffman as the pitcher with the most bullpen experience of the group, including twice last season and a bullpen stint earlier this year. However, that was his most disappointing outing of the season as he gave up a run in 1.1 innings against the Chicago Cubs. Could that make him the odd man out?

Next: 5 guarantees for the rest of the season

There are no easy answers when it comes to Colorado’s rotation quandary. However, it’s a good problem to have when the Rockies are seemingly loaded with talent to start every game.