Denver, CO (Best E Casino) - Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old lefty had been sidelined for over a month with inflammation in his left shoulder. He was scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals, but that game was postponed.

Instead, he is set to start the first game of a Thursday doubleheader with Washington, opposite Jason Bergmann.

After having a remarkable 2007 season, this campaign has not been good for Francis thus far. He has posted a 3-7 record with a 5.67 earned run average in 17 games.

He went 1-0 with an ERA of 0.63 in three rehab starts with Double-A Tulsa.

Francis was 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA last year for the National League champion Rockies. He also posted a 2-1 mark with a 4.86 ERA in the postseason as Colorado was swept by the Red Sox in the World Series.

In a corresponding move, the Rockies optioned pitcher Steven Register to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The team also announced that pitcher Valerio De Los Santos cleared waivers and was assigned to Colorado Springs.