Decision due Friday on Buchholz

Reliever Taylor Buchholz completed his 30-day rehabilitation assignment Thursday at Triple-A Colorado Springs, meaning the Rockies must make a decision on his next step Friday.

The Rockies could bring Buchholz to the big leagues, which would be a homecoming since Buchholz is from the Philadelphia area and the Rockies open a four-game series Friday at Philadelphia. The Rockies could also option Buchholz to Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he is 0-1 with a 5.74 ERA and last pitched Wednesday. Buchholz has not been scored upon in six of his past seven games.

If Buchholz is added to the Rockies bullpen, Jhoulys Chacin could be optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs where he can start regularly. Chacin has made 12 starts this season for the Rockies, the last on July 2. He came out of the rotation when Jorge De La Rosa returned from a finger injury.

Chacin’s last five appearances have come in relief, including Thursday at Florida where he pitched the ninth and suffered the loss in a 3-2 defeat. Chacin gave up a leadoff triple to pinch hitter Emilio Bonafacio, issued two intentional walks to load the bases and after missing badly with his first pitch to Ronny Paulino, gave up a walk-off single on his second pitch.

Since his last start July 2, Chacin has pitched a total of eight innings. His longest outing in that period was three innings on July 6. Chacin is viewed as a future starter, and the Rockies could decide his development is best served by starting on a set schedule and logging more innings than he has in long relief.

Other players who could be optioned to make room for Buchholz include first baseman Brad Eldred, who joined the Rockies on July 7 when Todd Helton went on the disabled list, and slumping center fielder Dexter Fowler, who is in a 1-for-28 tailspin.

A player will have to be sent down if shortstop Troy Tulowitzki comes off the disabled list as expected on July 28. Dropping a reliever to make room for Buchholz is the easiest way to keep seven pitchers in the bullpen. Because Buchholz is on the 60-day roster, the Rockies will have to open a spot on their 40-man roster to make room for Buchholz should they decide to bring him to the majors Friday.

Buchholz, 28, last pitched in the big leagues on Sept. 9, 2009, and committed a walk-off balk at Atlanta. He injured his elbow early in spring training in 2009 and when rest and rehabilitation proved fruitless, Buchholz underwent Tommy John surgery June 17, 2009.

In 2008, Buchholz emerged as a valuable set-up man, going 6-6 with one save and a 2.17 ERA in 63 games and allowing 45 hits in 66 1/3 innings with 18 walks and 56 strikeouts. His ERA was under 2.00 before his final two appearances.