4 Pat Valaika 2B

Valaika was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque ahead of Tuesday's game against Washington, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Valaika has struggled at the dish so far this season, hitting .074 with a double and four walks over 15 games. In a corresponding move, Jeff Hoffman has been recalled and will toe the rubber for Colorado on Tuesday night.

Valaika is starting at second base and hitting seventh against the Padres on Tuesday.

Valaika gets the start after sitting four of the last six games. He's logged just two hits in 19 at-bats since getting called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on April 1 after Daniel Murphy (finger) was forced to the injured list, and carries just a .661 OPS over his 342 career big-league at-bats.

Valaika was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Valaika will join the big club ahead of Monday's series opener against the Rays with Daniel Murphy (finger) headed to the injured list. It's unclear how long Murphy will remain sidelined at this point, but Valaika figures to fill a utility role in his absence. He hit .156/.214/.246 in 133 plate appearances last season.

Valaika will be called up Monday to replaced the injured Daniel Murphy (finger), Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy's exact timeline is not yet clear, but he has a fractured finger, so Valaika could settle into a utility role for a fair amount of time. Even playing half his games at Coors Field wasn't enough to make him a viable fantasy option last season, however, as he hit just .156/.214/.246 in 133 plate appearances, good for a wRC+ of 9.

Valaika was sent to minor-league camp Saturday, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Valaika has been passed by Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson in the battle for playing time in the Rockies' infield. His .156/.214/.246 line in 133 plate appearances last season means it's tough to see him play a significant role this year.