Notes: Chacon cleared to pitch
Rockies righty has put right ankle through its paces
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

DENVER -- On Monday night, Colorado pitcher Shawn Chacon's bat faced the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rockies used Chacon's stick in the first inning, looking for a fun way to jump-start their offense.

But on Thursday afternoon, Chacon will face the Cardinals in person.

Chacon's right ankle passed several tests on Tuesday, so he will be cleared to return to the rotation. Chacon missed his last start, on Saturday, after suffering an ankle sprain in Milwaukee on May 23. Despite a 1-4 record, Chacon has posted a 3.28 ERA (no other starter is below 5.00) and has been the club's best pitcher this season.

Chacon completed fielding drills, what pitching coach Bob Apodaca called the "quick starts and stops" that he needed to be able to perform to field the position. He also threw all of his pitches during an 11-minute bullpen session. Chacon's main concern was being able to push off properly as he threw to the plate, since the inability to use his legs could have put his arm at risk for further injury.


Good to see Chacon is getting healthy. He has been great this year, so I think we might be able to split this series with St. Louis.

Rest of article talks about various things. Witasick being able to forget about mistakes and pitching a solid inning the night after giving up a three run jack to Pujols. Wright pitched solid on Monday and may have saved his spot in the rotation. Seay's recovery in the minors is going well. Merricks and Taylor (never heard of them) are doing well, Cook experienced some shoulder tightness, but they don't think it's a big deal.