Hoffman is a candidate to fill the vacant rotation spot that was created when Jon Gray (toe) was placed on the disabled list, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old competed for a rotation spot during spring training, although he lost the battle to Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland after struggling with control. However, despite an uninspiring 4.91 ERA through two starts with Triple-A Albuquerque, Hoffman has only walked three batters in 11 innings. His 3.65 FIP also suggests that he's been subjected to some bad luck, so it's not out of the realm of possibility for him to make a spot start in Denver. German Marquez and Harrison Musgrave are also candidates to fill Gray's spot in the rotation, but none of them may be needed until the Rockies need a fifth starter on Apr. 28.

Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The pitching prospect seemed like a good bet to crack the Rockies rotation, especially in light of recent injuries to Chris Rusin (oblique) and Chad Bettis (illness), but after serving up nine hits and walking two batters in his 5.2 spring innings, the Rockies opted to send Hoffman back to the minors for more seasoning. The 24-year-old struggled with command at times last season, most notably posting a 4.9 BB/9 in 31.1 big league innings, but given his prospect pedigree, it's likely that he'll get the call back to the majors once he's able to work on his mechanics and fill up the strike zone more consistently. This development likely puts German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, and Harrison Musgrave in better position to claim one of the final two rotation spots in Denver.

Hoffman has an improved shot at garnering a spot in the Rockies rotation.

EDGE Analysis

The top prospect was competing with a crowd for one of the final rotation spots, but now with Chris Rusin (oblique) and Chad Bettis (illness) on the shelf, Hoffman seems to be in line for the fourth spot in the rotation now. The 24-year-old has yet to allow a run this spring and has also struck out three batters between his two appearances. He struggled a bit upon his promotion to the big leagues last year and was even relegated to the bullpen for a brief period of time, but it seems like it's in the cards for Hoffman to move beyond that and become an integral part of Colorado's pitching staff.

The Rockies will look at using Hoffman in the bullpen in 2017, the Denver Post's Patrick Saunders reports.

EDGE Analysis

This comes from manager Bud Black, but it is unclear whether the Rockies intend on using Hoffman in the bullpen for a brief stretch to manage his innings, or whether they might legitimately consider using him in relief all season. Hoffman struggled last season in the majors, but his pedigree and repertoire suggest he is still a better bet to succeed in the rotation than Chris Rusin, Jordan Lyles or Eddie Butler. This news is enough to warrant downgrading Hoffman slightly in drafts, as he is clearly not a lock to spend the entire season in the Rockies' rotation.

Hoffman will start Saturday against the Brewers, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tyler Anderson was scratched and the Rockies will turn to Hoffman to toe the rubber in his absence. Hoffman has fared reasonably well in two relief appearances, but he struggled mightily in five starts to begin his MLB career (nearly a 1.000 OPS allowed to opposing hitters) he will come with significant of downside in the home start.

Hoffman was moved to the bullpen Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman's first five starts in the big leagues have been fairly disappointing, so between this and the plan to avoid overtaxing their heralded prospect, the Rockies decided to shift him into a bullpen role for the remainder of the season. The right-hander will likely move back into a starting role for the 2017 season and should compete for a rotation spot during spring training.

Hoffman will not start Wednesday against the Cardinals, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rockies will instead turn to German Marquez in the series finale against St. Louis. Although the team has not said explicitly that Hoffman is out of its six-man rotation, it would make sense if Hoffman were given at least a temporary breather after a disappointing five-start run to begin his major league career (6.04 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, seven homers allowed in 22.1 innings).

Hoffman (0-4) took another loss Wednesday in Arizona after giving up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

He's now been slammed for seven runs in three of his five starts in the majors, and after allowing another two homers Wednesday, he's up to seven long balls and 30 hits in 23.1 innings. Only two of those starts have come at Coors Field, so there might actually be room for Hoffman's already hideous stats to get even worse.

Hoffman (0-3) was beaten up for seven runs -- none of them earned -- on six hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings Thursday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Yes, Hoffman got away with all seven of his runs -- which all scored in the third inning -- being unearned, and yet his ERA Is still an awful 5.60, which should tell you just how bad he's been over the course of his first four MLB starts. He has more walks (10) than strikeouts (eight) and has given up 20 runs (but just 11 earned, if that qualifies as a silver lining) in 17.2 innings. Leaving Coors Field for his next start won't help him, as it'll come in the similarly hitter-friendly Chase Field against the Diamondbacks.

Hoffman gave up two runs on three hits and three walks with no strikeouts over five inning in Wednesday's no-decision against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Getting the start in the back end of a doubleheader, Hoffman was able to keep the Dodgers quiet for the most part, which is saying something in a Coors Field start. But allowing that much contact with control that poor in that ballpark is a recipe for disaster, With a 6.60 ERA and 5:8 K:BB in his first three MLB starts, Hoffman's even harder than your average Rockies starter to recommend in fantasy.