Denver, CO (Best E Casino) - Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis was shut down for the season with continued discomfort in his pitching shoulder Tuesday.

The 27-year-old lefty was sidelined for over a month with inflammation in his left shoulder until being activated August 7. He was scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Padres but Livan Hernandez will now take his place opposite San Diego's Josh Greer in the series finale.

After having a remarkable 2007 season, which saw him tie the Rockies' single season record for wins with 17, his 2008 campaign was riddled with early-season struggles followed by the shoulder injury. Francis posted a 3-7 record with a 5.67 earned run average in 17 starts prior to the injury and will finish the season 4-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 24 starts.

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.