Rockies excited about their pitching future

DENVER — The increase in the consistency of Tyler Chatwood and from other Rockies starters throughout the season has the franchise excited about its pitching future. But in the back of the organization’s mind, it’s aware of the load being placed on young arms — especially during a difficult schedule stretch.

Wednesday marked the 16th of 27 straight days of action, counting a game abbreviated by rain at Pittsburgh on May 23. Starting last Wednesday in Boston, the Rockies’ rotation consists of Chatwood, who is back after missing all of last year and most of 2014 because of Tommy John surgery, and four others who have never gone wire-to-wire in the Majors — lefty Chris Rusin, the oldest pitcher at 29, and righties Chad Bettis, Eddie Butler and rookie Jon Gray.

Lefty Jorge De La Rosa could be an option for an occasional start, but the fact that he is in the bullpen working through issues that led to struggles in five of his first six starts should make him less of an option during this difficult stretch. The bullpen also is thinned by the fact regular long reliever Christian Bergman is out with a left oblique strain, so any start of fewer than six innings, such as consecutive starts by Butler, Rusin and Bettis during this homestand, places added strain on the bullpen.

For now, the Rockies have not indicated they are planning …

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