Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood has been linked to veteran star Roy Oswalt throughout his career, even though the two have never met. Both are wishfully listed at 6-feet tall, a rarity in an era of tall right-handers.

Righty Juan Nicasio was competitive for five innings, and was hurt by a couple of errors, but the three-run homer he served up to the hottest of the hot Blue Jays, Adam Lind, was the key blow in a 5-2 loss at Rogers Centre on Wednesday.

Quietly, the Rockies cleared out the locker of left-hander Jeff Francis on Wednesday. Manager Walt Weiss did not announce that he has been bumped from the team's active roster for veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt, but the locker was clear and Francis was not part of the Rockies' pregame preparation.

Right fielder Michael Cuddyer singled off Blue Jays starter Mark Buehrle in the first inning Wednesday night to extend his career-best hitting streak to 17 games. It is the longest for a Rockies player since Matt Holliday went 17 straight in 2007.

Often the No. 2 hitter is a bat-handler who can bunt or perform the hit-and-run. Let's say Carlos Gonzalez, with 21 home runs and 57 RBIs after a solo shot in the fifth inning on Wednesday, has no interest in filling that job description, nor does manager Walt Weiss want him trying to be that type of hitter.

The Rockies are hoping veteran Roy Oswalt can channel his younger, dominant self when he makes his 2013 Major League debut against the Nationals on Thursday. Oswalt will be opposed by righty Jordan Zimmermann.

The Rockies sent outfielder Eric Young Jr., who was designated for assignment last week, to the Mets on Tuesday night for right-handed pitcher Collin McHugh, then optioned McHugh to Double-A Tulsa.

Starter Jeff Francis gave up eight runs and served up three home runs in six innings as the Blue Jays won their seventh straight, 8-3, at Rogers Centre on Tuesday night.

Still suffering pain from being hit by a pitch on his right ring finger Thursday, Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler was not in the lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Blue Jays.

The Rockies are crossing their fingers, hoping that left-hander Jorge De La Rosa's bruised left thumb heals in time for him to make his next scheduled start, which is next Sunday against the Nationals.

Rockies right-handed reliever Matt Belisle has appeared in more games (264) than any other Major League pitcher since 2010, and manager Walt Weiss wants to make sure he doesn't overuse him.

Right-hander Roy Oswalt, a three-time All-Star and perennial Cy Young Award candidate, will become one of the highest-profile pitchers ever to wear purple pinstripes when he joins the Rockies on Thursday to start against Washington at Nationals Park.

Jorge De La Rosa carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Monday night, but his stellar outing wasn't enough, as the Blue Jays' Maicer Izturis knocked the winning hit off Matt Belisle in the eighth, and Toronto won, 2-0.

Prior to Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Rockies advance scout Chris Warren and catching instructor Jerry Weinstein walked to the right-field corner of Rogers Centre, throwing baseballs against the fence and observing. Every few feet, they'd repeat.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss decided Carlos Gonzalez would serve as designated hitter for Monday's Interleague game against the Blue Jays, sparing him some additional discomfort in his knee and foot, which are still sore and will be for some time.

Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis is known for cool, even emotions, but he allowed that Tuesday night's start against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre will be meaningful. Francis grew up on the West Coast in Vancouver and is a treasured figure in Canadian baseball circles.

Carlos Gonzalez hit three more homers last week to earn National League Player of the Week honors for the period ending June 16.

Jhoulys Chacin dominated Philadelphia's lineup for nearly all of Sunday afternoon, falling an out shy of pulling off a shutout in the 5-2 win at Coors Field.

After the first pitch from Walt Weiss landed safely in the glove of his son, Bo, the two met halfway between the mound and home plate, put their arms around one another and walked back to the Rockies' dugout.

Chris Volstad's stay with the Rockies lasted all of five days as they optioned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Sunday, with right-hander Logan Kensing taking his roster spot.