Rockies Pitcher Jeff Francis Scheduled to Pitch for Drillers

Originally Published: May 3, 2010 10:54 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

TULSA, Oklahoma – It has been a season of firsts for ONEOK Field and this week there will be another first. On Thursday, Colorado Rockies left hander Jeff Francis will be the first MLB pitcher to make rehab start for the Drillers in the new stadium.

Francis will throw roughly 75 pitches on Thursday against Arkansas and is also scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, May 11 against Northwest Arkansas.

The former Driller, who missed the entire 2009 season following left shoulder surgery, has 51 wins and over 500 strikeouts in three seasons with Colorado.

Francis won the Minor League Player of the Year award while pitching for Tulsa in 2004.