Rockies recall Nelson, activate Buchholz

The Colorado Rockies added two players Wednesday as major league rosters expanded to a maximum of 40 players. The Rockies recalled infielder Chris Nelson, who was with the team on two occasions earlier this season, and activated Taylor Buchholz from the 15-day disabled list.

Nelson, 24, is 2-for-5 and has scored two runs scored in four games with the Rockies in 2010. He spent 12 days with the team in June and was recalled again in August, but he did not play during his three games with the team. He played mostly second base, shortstop and third base at Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he hit .313 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 85 games.

Buchholz was first activated from the disabled list in late July after missing all of last season and the start of this season following Tommy John surgery. In seven games with the Rockies, Buchholz was 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA before returning to the disabled list on Aug. 17 with lower back stiffness.

Manny Delcarmen, who was acquired from the Red Sox on Tuesday, is expected to join the team Thursday when it returns to Denver for one game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Aaron Cook also will join the team later this week to start in Friday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres.

The Rockies likely will add more players to the roster when the Triple-A season ends Sept. 6. Among the candidates to join the team are catchers Mike McKenry and Paul Phillips, outfielders Jay Payton and Matt Miller and reliever Edgmer Escalona. The Rockies also expect to get pitchers Jeff Francis and Matt Daley back from the disabled soon.