|
|
| Jeff Francis was tagged for six runs (four earned) on six hits over four innings in Saturday's 11-10 win over the Angels in the Cactus League. He had two walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Francis, who is coming off shoulder surgery, lost ground after allowing two earned runs over four innings in his previous outing versus the Cubs. The former 17-game winner is still worth consideration as an injury-risk flier in fantasy drafts.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis allowed two earned runs on four hits over four innings in Monday's 5-2 win over the Cubs in the Cactus League. He had no walks and two strikeouts. |
Our View: Francis gave up some runs, but at least he didn't issue any walks. He is coming off shoulder surgery, and the former 17-game winner continues to rank as an injury-risk flier for 2010.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis was tagged for four earned runs over two innings in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Giants. He had two walks and no strikeouts. |
Our View: Francis missed the 2009 campaign due to shoulder surgery, and his dismal performance today was understandable. He still has plenty of time to regain his form prior to opening day.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis (shoulder) is scheduled to will start a split-squad game against the Giants on Friday, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: The start, in which Francis is expected to toss two innings, will be his first real test since undergoing shoulder surgery last year. As long as Francis looks alright and is able to get through camp without any setbacks, he's expected to secure a role in Colorado's starting rotation.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, threw live batting practice to Troy Tulowitzki, Clint Barmes and Dexter Fowler on Friday, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Francis threw 39 pitches in 10 minutes. Reports were that his curveball was still a work in progress, but the hitters complimented his fastball and changeup. The lefty is scheduled to throw again on Sunday.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis is ready to participate in spring training with no limitations, according to The Sporting News. |
Our View: This is encouraging, as the lefty hurler missed the entire 2009 campaign due to shoulder surgery he underwent a year ago. Francis was a solid starting pitcher when healthy, and will be worth a look as a late-round fantasy flier heading into the new season.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis (shoulder) is expected to enter the 2010 season at full health, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Francis missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. A pretty reliable starter when healthy, Francis will surely regain a spot in Colorado's rotation and is worth a look toward the later rounds of drafts.
|
|
|
|
| MLblogs.com is reporting that Rockies' pitcher Jeff Francis has been throwing regular bullpen sessions with an eye on pitching in the instructional league this year. Francis has missed the entire season while recovering from shoulder surgery. |
Our View: Francis appears to be progressing nicely, and it looks like he will be able to pitch in the instructional league. Francis is not a candidate to return this season, but barring a setback he should be ready to go in 2010.
|
|
|
|
| The Denver Post reports that Jeff Francis threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday. |
Our View: Francis continues to make progress in his shoulder rehab and is now a candidate to head to the instructional league. Don't expect him to help out this season though.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis underwent arthroscopic left shoulder surgery today, according to the Associated Press. The procedure was for a labral repair and a debridement of the left rotator cuff.
|
Our View: He will begin rehab immediately, but will miss the entire 2009 campaign. Rehab can take 6-12 months, and the club is yet to set a timetable.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis is going to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery next week, according to the Associated Press. He said, "It is disappointing. But in the state I am in, it is not fair to me, and it is not fair to my team. The chances of me returning this season are remote. It just was not working, and I could see that."
|
Our View: His rehab can take 6-12 months, and he could officially be ruled out for fantasy rosters. The club recently added Jason Marquis to help ease the burden of his absence.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis is hopeful of returning to the Rockies' rotation soon, according to the Associated Press. He is participating in workouts but is not sure when he will be pitching again, and he said, "The best case scenario is that I am pitching off the mound in the next three or four days. Hopefully I start to build up and by the end of spring I will be able to be in a game. If all goes well I might be back with the team by May."
|
Our View: Surgery may still be needed on his ailing shoulder, which likely would wipe out his entire season. The club added Jason Marquis to help ease the burden if Francis is not available this season.
|
|
|
|
| The Denver Post reports that if pitcher Jeff Francis' shoulder does not show improvement this week, then he will have surgery. |
Our View: Surgery would likely knock him out for the entire season. The good news is that his shoulder did show improvement last week. The bad news is that some are beginning to think that he has a torn labrum. We should know more at this point next week.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis is optimistic about his ailing shoulder and believes surgery could be avoided, according to the Denver Post. The pain in his shoulder is decreasing and he said, "It is getting better. I came out Monday to throw and it was feeling better. I am letting the ball go pretty good."
|
Our View: Francis is throwing the ball from about 100 feet and plans on throwing a few curveballs Saturday off flat ground, and hopes to throw off a mound in three or four days. This is encouraging news, but surgery may still be needed and he could suffer a relapse, and Francis should not be drafted in fantasy leagues right now.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis set a February 19 deadline to decide whether he will need to undergo exploratory surgery on his ailing left shoulder, according to ESPN. |
Our View: If he opts for surgery, he could miss most of the 2009 campaign. The former ace should not be drafted as of now.
|
|
|
|
| Rockies hurler Jeff Francis may have to undergo exploratory surgery on his left shoulder if the pain there does not subside, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. |
Our View: Apparently the shoulder is simply sore now, and free of any strong pain. If Francis was to get surgery, it would not be until after the season begins. He will not be ready for the start of the season, so fantasy owners should avoid him.
|
|
|
|
| The Denver Post reports that Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis will likely not be part of the rotation when the season begins. "I won't be on the same timetable as the other guys, but at this point I plan to be ready some time during spring," Francis said. "Whether I'll be pitching at the start of the season for Rockies, I don't think that's looking very good. It's a day-to-day thing. I think putting a timetable on it is jumping the gun." |
Our View: If Francis is unable to go at the outset of the season, look for newly signed Ubaldo Jimenez to assume the No. 1 spot in the rotation, at least for a while. Many factors can still creep into the process between now and Apr. 6, when the Rockies open up against Arizona.
|
|
|
|
| The Rocky Mountain News reports that left-hander Jeff Francis is still experiencing inflammation in his throwing shoulder, but he admitted to it improving. "It's been better, but it's getting better," Francis said Friday. "It's slow going at best." Francis underwent another MRI several weeks ago that revealed no structural damage. |
Our View: Francis, who just began throwing for the second time this winter, figures to play catch-up throughout Spring Training because of the discomfort. Fantasy owners should not think about taking a chance on Francis until he gets a few regular season starts under his belt, which should determine which version will show up, the one from the Rockies' World Series run of 2007 or the one that posted an ERA over five a season ago.
|
|
|
|
| Team Canada will not have hurler Jeff Francis in the World Baseball Classic, as he has withdrawn, according to TSN. |
Our View: Francis had shoulder soreness at the end of last year that kept him out of action. After a promising 2007, Francis was horrid in 2008, with a 4-10 record. He has some upside for fantasy owners, but only if healthy.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis will be shut down for the remainder of the season after developing slight shoulder soreness again, according to the Denver Post. Francis said, "It's been a forgettable year from an individual standpoint." |
Our View: He will be replaced in the rotation Wednesday by Livan Hernandez. The shoulder pain prevented Francis from getting on track, and he ended the year with a 4-10 record and 5.01 ERA.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis picked up his ninth loss of the season while allowing two runs and seven hits over 6.1 innings opposite Roy Oswalt on Saturday. Francis, who missed all of July with inflammation in his left shoulder, has put together five quality starts, but has one win to show for it. He is 4-9 on the season. |
Our View: Francis has pitched much better of late but has had some unfortunate matchups. Expect Francis and the Rockies to have a good September.
|
|
|
|
| Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis did not factor into the decision, but he did throw a solid game, which was a vast improvement from previous starts. Francis went six innings and allowed three runs in the Rockies win over Arizona. |
Our View: Francis has been dreadful this season after such a solid year in 2007. He does not belong in fantasy leagues right now, but he does possess enough talent that he could be a factor later in the season should he straighten out.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis lost his eighth game of the season, throwing just 5.1 innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits, including two home runs. |
Our View: This was his first performance since coming off the DL, and the results were not favorable. Continue to ignore him in fantasy leagues.
|
|
|
|
| With the Rockies/Nationals game being rained out, Jeff Francis' return from the DL will be pushed back to Thursday, when the two teams will play a doubleheader. |
Our View: Francis will square off against Jason Bergmann in the first game, while Ubaldo Jimenez will oppose Odalis Perez in the second tilt.
|
|
|
|
| The Rockies activated Jeff Francis from the DL Wednesday. Francis, who was out with inflammation in his left shoulder, will start tonight against the Nationals. |
Our View: Francis gave up just one run over his three rehab outings, so he appears to be ready.
|
|
|
|
| As hoped, the Rockies will welcome Jeff Francis back to the mound on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Battling inflammation in his left shoulder, Francis was forced to the DL on July 3rd. The Rockies believe they have the tools in place to push for the playoffs, but getting Francis back could be a huge boost. He's struggled a bit this season, but he is still one of the top arms on this staff.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis is expected to be activated from the DL Wednesday following his battle with left shoulder inflammation, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: He is slated to start Wednesday against the Nationals. Francis was 3-7 with a 5.67 ERA and 1.55 WHIP prior to going down, and fantasy owners should wait until he proves to be effective before considering him as a starter again.
|
|
|
|
| Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis should make his return to the team on Thursday, when he will be activated off the disabled list, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Francis has been a big-time disappointment after a solid season in 2007. He has just three wins and a 5.67 ERA and should not be used on fantasy squads unless he starts to turn it around.
|
|
|
|
| No. 1 starter Jeff Francis will need another rehab start at Double-A Tulsa, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle announced Monday afternoon according to MLB.com. Francis struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings during his past start Saturday night, Francis, 3-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 17 starts this season, reported some stiffness after Saturday's start. He is battling back from left shoulder inflammation that forced him to the disabled list July 2. |
Our View: We expect Francis to be a better pitcher when he returns. The Rockies have been very hot since the All-Star break and Francis will give them another boost. So far in 2008 he has a 5.67 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Last season he was 9-4 after the break.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis pitched 3.2 innings, with two strikeouts and only one hit issued, in his first rehab start on Monday (with Double-A Tulsa), according to the Rocky Mountain News. He threw 51 pitches, 39 of which were strikes. |
Our View: It was an encouraging outing for Francis in his recovery from left shoulder inflammation, and he will be re-evaluated Sunday to determine whether he makes another rehabilitation start or rejoins the Rockies.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis, who is recovering from left elbow inflammation, is scheduled to pitch three innings or 45 pitches tonight for Double-A Tulsa at Arkansas, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He will then make a second rehab start Saturday for the Drillers, working six innings or about 75 pitches. |
Our View: Francis will be re-evaluated Sunday to determine whether he makes another rehabilitation start or rejoins the Rockies.
|
|
|
|
| The Rocky Mountain News tells us that Jeff Francis threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session and felt good enough that the expectation is the Rockies will send him out in the next couple of days to begin a rehab assignment. |
Our View: Francis is trying to recover from left shoulder inflammation which may explain his terrible season to date. He won nine games after the break last season.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis is targeting July 29 as his return date to the Rockies, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He is recovering from left shoulder inflammation. |
Our View: He should have a rehab start or two before he returns. He only holds a 3-7 record this season, but won 17 games in 2007 as he helped guide the Rockies to the World Series, and is worth stashing in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis, who is on the DL due to left shoulder inflammation, was reportedly in good shape following his 45-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
Our View: Francis will throw another pen session on Thursday, after which point a decision will be made on whether to have him throw live batting practice or go on a minor league rehab assignment.
|
|
|
|
| MLB.com reports that Jeff Francis , whose endured left shoulder inflammation before the Rockies placed him on the disabled list July 3, threw from 120 feet without pain on Friday. |
Our View: He is hoping to return after the All-Star break but will likely see a minor league rehab assignment of at least one game. Shoulders are iffy. Don't expect consistent big things from Francis when he returns.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis has been placed on the 15-day DL due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, according to the AP. As a corresponding move, the club recalled righty Mark Redman from Triple-A Colorado Springs. |
Our View: Francis has allowed 11 earned runs and five walks over his last two starts, and is only 3-7 for the season. He held very little fantasy value prior to landing on the DL.
|
|
|
|
| The Rockies are hoping LHP Jeff Francis can get his season back on track this evening as they travel to Detroit to face the Tigers, according to the Sports Network. |
Our View: Francis, labeled as the team's ace after last year's trip to the World Series, is failing in his attempts to solidify the respect, going 1-3 at home with an ERA of 6.07 in eight home starts. The last time the 27-year-old was on the hill he was knocked around by the Royals, allowing seven runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings. Francis allowed three walks and two home runs in the 8-4 loss.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis was blasted by the Royals for seven runs on seven hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings Monday. |
Our View: Francis had been turning it around until this latest outing. Much like hit team, Francis has been very disappointing this season.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis enters his start against the Royals tonight looking for his third win of the month. In 25 innings this month he has a 2.88 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. |
Our View: Francis appears to be rebounding from a terrible first two months. He may be a quality buy low candidate.
|
|
|
|
| Colorado LHP Jeff Francis earned the win in support of his Rockies' 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians this evening. Francis pitched six innings to allow two runs (one earned) on five hits with no walks and two strikeouts. |
Our View: Francis now sits at 3-6 with an ERA of 5.22 on the season.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis allowed four runs on four hits, walked three but failed to strike out a White Sox hitter in Friday's no-decision. |
Our View: Francis only allowed four hits, but he didn't have his best stuff which is evident by his lack of strike outs. Coming into the game the left-hander had struck out 60 in 77.2 innings of work, a 6.95 K Rate.
|
|
|
|
| Colorado LHP Jeff Francis can't seem to get a good thing going this season, suffering sixth loss of the campaign today as the Rockies fell 3-2 to Milwaukee. Francis pitched six innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Francis now sits at 2-6 on the season with a 5.45 ERA. Through six starts in May, Francis allowed at least one homer in all but one, and while he has yet to give on up in June, his six walks versus nine strikeouts shows the control is lacking.
|
|
|
|
| Colorado LHP Jeff Francis found a much-needed win this evening as the Rockies put the 3-0 win on the board against the Dodgers, and he did so in dominating fashion. Francis pitched seven innings, failing to allow a single run on just four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Francis improves to 2-5 on the season, posting his best start since April 17th.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis rebounded from a poor outing to allow three runs over five innings on Thursday in yet another average performance. |
Our View: Francis exited this outing with a 6.12 ERA, a number that completely reflects his ineffective work for the Rockies this season. Francis has failed to allow three runs or less in back-to-back starts all season, and until he does he shouldn't be in your lineup.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis was shellacked for six runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings in a 9-2 loss to the Mets Saturday. The lone bright spot is that he struck out a season-high eight batters. |
Our View: Francis can't seem to put a string of solid outings together. He's sandwiched this outing and a horrible effort against the D'Backs on May 13 around a superb effort against the Twins on May 18. It would be best for those in mixed leagues to use him only in very favorable matchups right now.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis picked up his first win of the season in his ninth start as he held the Twins to two runs over 6.1 innings. Francis allowed six hits and two walks while picking up seven strikeouts. |
Our View: Now that's what you paid a mid-round selection for. Francis is likely on waivers in some mixed leagues due to his terrible work this year, and while one start does not make a man, he has looked a bit better of late if you remove his last start where he got bombed. If you need help, and he's available, you might give Francis a shot.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis had another terrible outing on Tuesday as he fell to 0-4 after allowing 13 hits and eight runs in 4.2 innings. |
Our View: Put a fork in him. So much for Francis being able to be a successful hurler even in Colorado. He should rebound moving forward, but with the way he is pitching that may not mean he is worthy of rostering in shallow mixed leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis will be bumped up a day and pitch on Friday instead of Saturday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Mark Redman has been moved back to next Tuesday. The team has not announced a starter for Saturday's game.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis got hit hard once again on Friday as he allowed seven hits, three of which for home runs, and seven runs over five innings for the Rockies. Francis has been awful thus far with a 9.53 ERA, and don't forget the fact that he was lit up in the game that got rained out as well. Bench him for now and wait for the inevitable comeback. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis will take the hill on the road against Arizona tonight, and he is notably 4-0 at Chase Field over seven starts, according to MLB.com. He had his scheduled start against Atlanta postponed yesterday due to snow, and will be looking for his first win of the season against Arizona instead. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis was scheduled to pitch today against Atlanta, but he will have his next start moved to Friday, according to the Sports Network. The game was postponed due to snow. He will face Arizona tomorrow instead. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis had his second straight shaky outing, though the first was wiped out by rain, as he allowed 13 baserunners and five runs over 6.1 innings to pick up the loss. Francis allowed three long balls on the night to ruin his chance of winning, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't still be counted on as a potentially big winner this season in Colorado. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis was solid in a no decision against Arizona on Wednesday as he only allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, with two walks and three strikeouts. His spring ERA stands at 3.00 and he is off to a strong start as he attempts to build upon his breakout campaign of 2007 when he went 17-9. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis threw 45 pitches in three innings of work on Sunday as the Rockies lost a 2-1 contest against Mexico. The Roks lefty allowed two hits and one earned run, and struck out two. |
|
|
|
| In one of the most obvious statements of the year, the Rockies will go with Jeff Francis as their opening day starter this year, according to ESPN. "What else do we need to go through this spring before we decide to give Jeff the ball? He doesn't need to compete. Without a doubt, for everybody internally that I talked to, he's our guy," manager Clint Hurdle said. Francis won 17 games last year and posted a 4.22 ERA for the Rockies, fantastic numbers for a pitcher who hurls half his games a mile above sea level. He makes a solid back of the rotation hurler as pitcher's from Colorado no longer strike fear in the heart of fantasy players thanks to the presence of the humidor. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis returned Monday from his five-game suspension that resulted from throwing at the Padres' Kevin Kouzmanoff, but he may have been better off staying off the field. The Giants abused him for seven runs on nine hits and three walks over five innings. Francis didn't strike out any batters and gave up two homers. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis lowered his spring ERA to 4.23 with five shutout innings Thursday, the Denver Post reports. Francis is considering his options regarding his five-day suspension, but is expected to make his first two scheduled starts without interruption. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis has appealed his five-game suspension for throwing at a batter earlier in camp, meaning he won't miss any time the first two weeks of the season, the Denver Post reports. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis was suspended for five games on Friday for throwing behind San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff on Tuesday, according to the AP. He'll begin serving his suspension on April 3, and he'll miss his first start of the season. |
|
|
|
| Jeff Francis could be facing a league suspension for his role in Tuesday's brush-back game with the Padres, the Denver Post reports. After both teams had been warned, Francis threw a pitch behind Padres rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff. |
|
|
|
| The Rockies and Jeff Francis agreed on a four-year extension Tuesday worth $13.5 million, according to ESPN.com. The contract includes a club option for 2011 that would bring the deal $20 million. Francis went 13-11 with a 4.16 ERA in 32 starts in 2006. |
|
