44 Roy Oswalt, SP

The Rockies officially announced that Roy Oswalt will start Thursday against the Nationals, according to the Denver Post.

Oswalt, who signed with the Rockies in May, made five starts at Double-A Tulsa, posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 33 1/3 innings of work. This will be his first start since Sept. 9 for the Rangers. 

Rockies pitcher Roy Oswalt could make his season debut this week, according to the Denver Post. 

There's a chance Oswalt will pitch against the Nationals Thursday. Oswalt has been throwing rehab starts in the minors, and managed to go 8 1/3 innings Saturday. If Oswalt is promoted, either Juan Nicasio or Jeff Francis would be the odd man out of the rotation. Oswalt has a 2.16 ERA through 33 1/3 innings in the minors this year.

Rockies starter Roy Oswalt made a start with Double-A Tulsa Friday and pitched well, the Denver Post reports. 

Oswalt did not give up a run on just five hits over 8 1/3 innings. He threw 102 pitches and 60 were strikes with seven Ks. He has a 2.16 ERA over four rehab starts. It looks like Oswalt will join the Colorado rotation Wednesday against Toronto. 

Rockies pitcher Roy Oswalt will likely be promoted soon, according to the Denver Post. 

Oswalt has pitched well in 25 minor-league innings this year. He has a 2.88 ERA at Double-A. The team wants Oswalt to be stretched out before calling him up, so they will wait until he makes one more minor-league start, which could come Friday.

Oswalt threw 95 pitches during his last minor-league appearance and reportedly touched 95 mph on the radar gun. 

With Roy Oswalt's opt-out date in his contract (June 18) getting closer, the Rockies continue to evaluate whether or not to promote the veteran right-hander to the major-league roster, according to The Denver Post. On Wednesday, Rockies pitching coach Jim Wright spoke with Oswalt and Double-A Tulsa pitching coach Darryl Scott and said Oswalt is in a good place.

Oswalt is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA through three starts for Tulsa and has won his last two. He allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings in his latest start Tuesday.

"No walks is the big thing, and he kept the ball on the ground with 11 groundball outs," Wright said. "He's still building up a little bit. His velocity should hit a little valley, then come back up."