SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Rockies on Friday optioned right-hander David Hale to minor-league camp, the team said, removing a season-opening rotation option. They also reassigned five players to the minors.
Rookie right-hander Jon Gray on Thursday said he will miss at least two weeks with an abdominal strain, leaving the Rockies with four pitchers in their rotation: lefty Jorge De La Rosa and right-handers Chad Bettis, Tyler Chatwood and Jordan Lyles.
Hale was an option to replace Gray, but he is still recovering from a hamstring strain suffered early in spring training.