Hale (oblique) was reinstated from the DL and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday. Hale lost out on a chance to win a major league roster spot after straining his oblique toward the end of spring training, and it appears that he'll begin his season in the minors even after returning to full health. He'll likely get stretched out as a starter and could get the chance to join the big league club at some point going forward.

Hale (oblique) will throw a rehab outing at Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. Hale strained his oblique late in spring training to cost him a chance at winning a roster spot, but appears to be inching closer to full health. He made his first rehab appearance at High-A Modesto on April 20, giving up two runs (none earned) over 2.1 innings. Once he has enough innings under his belt, look for the Rockies to activate him from the DL and either deploy him in long relief with the big club or stretch him out as a starter withe Albuquerque.

Hale (oblique) was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. Hale was expected to begin the season on he disabled list, and nothing changed over the course of the past week to effect that outcome. He will begin the season on the disabled list, but will be eligible to return April 12 due to backdating. However, his role upon return is unclear at this point.

Hale (oblique) will begin throwing from 90 feet Sunday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. Hale reported no pain following the session, but remains behind on his recovery. While he isn't expected to miss much of the regular season, his spot in the rotation isn't guaranteed. With both he and Jorge De La Rosa likely out to begin the season, Eddie Butler, Jon Gray and Christian Bergman remain in competition for two spots in the rotation early.

Hale isn't expected to be ready for the beginning of the season, the Denver Post reports. Hale was competing for one of the final two spots in the Rockies' rotation, but the injury may have removed that possibility from the picture. He's going to need to rest for 2-3 days before easing back into his pitching program. If he indeed misses the beginning of the season, that leaves Eddie Butler, Jon Gray and Christian Bergman competing for the final two rotation spots.

Hale was scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start Thursday due to a strained oblique, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. Despite his poor spring results, Hale is being viewed as a strong candidate to open the season in the rotation following the release of Jhoulys Chacin and the news earlier in the day Tuesday that Jorge De La Rosa (groin) would likely open the season on the DL. While the Rockies aren't labeling Hale's injury as a serious issue just yet, it's nonetheless a worrisome development given the existing personnel losses. Hale doesn't have nearly as much fantasy intrigue as fellow rotation contenders Jon Gray and Eddie Butler, but with the Rockies likely harboring some reservations about having those two young pitchers open the season in the majors, the 27-year-old Hale makes for a serviceable placeholder on the staff. The Rockies will see how Hale progresses over the next few days before determining if he too might be at risk of missing the start of the campaign.

Hale has allowed nine runs (six earned) on 14 hits and a walk while striking out nine batters over 9.1 innings thus far during Cactus League play. Should Jorge De La Rosa (groin) be ready for the beginning of the season, Hale, Eddie Butler, Jon Gray, and dark horse Christian Bergman would be fighting for the final spot in the Rockies' rotation. Hale's propensity for getting hit around this spring certainly hasn't given him a strong case for a gig with the Rockies, but he still remains in the thick of contention. Though top prospects Eddie Butler and Jon Gray have garnered most of the headlines with dominant springs and would possess the most fantasy appeal of any of the four candidates, Hale's greater MLB experience and ability to slide between starting and long-relief roles might carry more weight than his Cactus League results. Expect the Rockies to settle the competition over the final two weeks of camp.

Hale will compete for a rotation spot with the Rockies during spring training, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.Along with top pitching prospects Eddie Butler and Jon Gray, Hale will be given a chance to claim the No. 5 role in the rotation, but it's widely believed that Jorge De La Rosa, Tyler Matzek, Jhoulys Chacin, Jordan Lyles, and free-agent signing Kyle Kendrick have an inside track on the five spots. Fortunately for the right-handed Hale, who was acquired by the Rockies in January, he possesses the versatility to start or serve as a long man out of the bullpen, which should aid his chances of making the club.

Hale was traded to the Rockies on Friday along with Gus Schlosser in exchange for Jose Briceno and Chris O'Dowd. Hale provided the Braves with quality innings both as a starter (2.45 ERA) and as a reliever (3.81 ERA) last season, and his groundball tendencies (56.7% career GB%) make him a logical fit with Colorado. He figures to compete for one of the team's final rotation spots in spring training.

Hale (2-5) only allowed two runs through his 4.2 innings despite nine baserunners, but that was enough to land him with the loss Thursday against the Padres. Hale walked four batters and allowed five hits while striking out four. He's finished this season ugly, allowing seven runs on 14 hits and six walks while striking out just five in eight innings spanning his last three outings. Despite a still-shiny 3.30 ERA, Hale finishes the year with a hideous 44:39 K:BB.