Jeff Francis got the loss on Monday against the Rangers, allowing two unearned runs in two innings.

Francis was one pitch away from escaping trouble, but Elvis Andrus drove in two runs with a single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Reds have no room for Francis in the rotation, so the lefty will report to Triple-A when the season starts and serve as insurance.

Reds signed LHP Jeff Francis to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Francis, 33, had an ugly 6.27 ERA over 12 starts and 11 relief appearances with the Rockies last year. The veteran southpaw will function as insurance for the starting rotation.

Jeff Francis finished his 2013 season in strong fashion in Sunday's victory over the Dodgers, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings.

Francis racked up six strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing a pair of free passes. He finishes the difficult season with a 3-5 record, 6.27 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 63/24 K/BB ratio in 70 1/3 innings. The veteran southpaw is set to become a free agent this offseason, and very likely has pitched his final game as a member of the Rockies. He remains an unattractive option in all fantasy formats.

Rockies recalled LHP Jeff Francis from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Carlos Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day disabled list in a corresponding move with a right middle finger sprain. Francis has a 6.63 ERA this year in the bigs.

The Rockies are recalling left-hander Jeff Francis from Triple-A.

The Rockies haven't made an official announcement yet, but it appears Carlos Gonzalez or Edgmer Escalona is headed to the disabled list. Francis has a 6.63 ERA over 11 starts and one relief appearance with the Rockies this season. He's not fantasy relevant.

Rockies optioned LHP Jeff Francis to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The move clears a spot for Thursday's starter, Chad Bettis. Francis has an ugly 6.63 ERA over 11 starts and one relief appearance this season.

Rockies recalled LHP Jeff Francis from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

He'll be used in long relief. Francis holds a 6.58 ERA in 11 starts with the Rockies this season.

Rockies optioned LHP Jeff Francis to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The move cleared a 25-man roster spot (and a rotation spot) for the arrival of veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt. Francis had a 6.58 ERA in 11 starts with the Rox.

The Rockies will option Jeff Francis to Triple-A Colorado Springs prior to Thursday's game.

The move won't be made official until the Rockies call up Roy Oswalt. The club is hoping that Francis will agree to stick around for depth, but he has the option of choosing free agency because of his major league service time. He's put up a 6.58 ERA and 1.56 WHIP this season and wouldn't figure to net a major league deal elsewhere.

Jeff Francis allowed eight runs in six innings in a loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Francis did little right on Tuesday, giving up 10 hits -- including three homers -- while striking out only two. The outing left the southpaw with a 6.58 ERA and 1.56 WHIP on the season. There's been speculation for a while, but with Roy Oswalt set to make his Rockies debut on Thursday this start has the looks of Francis' last with the club.

In what could be his last start of a while, Jeff Francis struck out eight while holding the Nationals to two runs over six innings Thursday.

He gave up just five hits and didn't walk anyone, with Ryan Zimmerman's two-run blast representing the long blemish on his line. It was a nice showing from Francis, but he still figures to get the boot next week when Roy Oswalt is expected to join the rotation. The lefty holds a 5.87 ERA and 1.54 WHIP this season.

Rockies activated LHP Jeff Francis from the 15-day disabled list.

Francis wound up missing three weeks with a left groin strain. He is starting on Saturday night against the light-hitting Padres but remains a poor fantasy option.

Jeff Francis (groin) is expected to be activated from the disabled list to start Saturday against the Padres.

He'll take the place of Tyler Chatwood, who left his most recent start with triceps soreness. Francisco allowed five runs -- three earned -- over four innings Monday in a rehab start with Triple-A Colorado Springs. The veteran southpaw had a 6.00 ERA in eight starts prior to landing on the DL last month and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.

Jeff Francis (groin) would take Tyler Chatwood's (triceps) spot in the rotation if the right-hander needs to miss a start or more.

Drew Pomeranz has struggled of late and Roy Oswalt isn't quite ready, so Francis would get the call. The left-hander allowed five runs -- three earned -- over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Colorado Springs Monday. If he does rejoin the rotation, his stay would likely be brief.

Jeff Francis (groin) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Monday.

That's assuming he makes it through a side session Friday with no issues. Francis is penciled in for another rehab start next Friday, but there's a chance he could be an option for the Rockies' rotation after that. The veteran southpaw owns a 6.00 ERA through eight starts this season and shouldn't be considered in fantasy leagues.

Jeff Francis (groin) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Friday.

He'll now progress to an outing in extended spring training before he's re-evaulated. Even when he is cleared to return, his rotation spot may not be secure after posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 31/14 K/BB ratio through his first eight starts. He shouldn't be a consideration in most fantasy leagues.

Jeff Francis (groin) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.

It will be the first time he's thrown from the bump since landing on the disabled list. Francis' groin isn't fully healed, but he shouldn't be out too much longer as long as he continues to progress. Whether he'll have a rotation spot once healthy remains to be seen.

Rockies placed LHP Jeff Francis on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 15, with a left groin strain.

It was reported previously that Francis tweaked his knee during Tuesday's start, but apparently his groin is the issue. Rob Scahill has taken his spot on the roster, but the Rockies have not announced who will take his spot in the rotation. Tyler Chatwood and Drew Pomeranz are the main options.

Jeff Francis threw six innings, allowing just one run, as the Rockies beat the Cubs on Tuesday.

The start was a bright spot in what has otherwise been a largely disastrous 2013 campaign for the lefty. Francis had it going Tuesday, striking out seven batters while allowing only a Darwin Barney solo home run. Francis will look to make it two in a row in his next start Sunday against the Giants.

Jeff Francis had to leave Tuesday's start against the Cubs early due to irritation in his right knee.

It figures that Francis would get hurt in his best start of the season, as he struck out seven over six innings of one-run ball. He had thrown just 80 pitches, so he likely had another inning or two in him. It's not clear at this point whether the ailment might affect his next start.