"Veteran left-hander Jeff Francis will replace the injured Aaron Cook in the Rockies' starting rotation as the club heads down the homestretch toward a possible playoff berth.

Francis will start Monday in a critical game against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Francis said this morning he could throw 75-to-80 pitches in a start. He has been out for a month with a biceps tendon injury.

"This is not how I wanted to get the opportunity," Francis said. "I just hope I can do right by 'Cookie.' He was pitching great for us."

The Rockies are optimistic Francis can help down the stretch.

"I saw Jeff pitch last weekend at (Triple A) Colorado Spring and he was very efficient," general manager Dan O'Dowd said this morning.

Right-hander Esmil Rogers was the other possibility, but the Rockies' preference is to keep him in the bullpen where he's been very efficient.

As for Cook, he will likely need the Rockies to reach the playoffs and possibly advance to the second round to have any chance of returning this season. Cook suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right leg Wednesday night when he has hit by a wicked one-hopper off the bat of the Reds' Joey Votto in the sixth inning."