Clint

Barmes

Manager Clint Hurdle said the roster would expand to 32 players - 16 pitchers and 16 position players. Candidates for callup include Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes, Brad Hawpe, Andy Tracy, Chin-Hui Tsao and Allan Simpson.

Barmes should be up for good. Even if Royce Clayton doesn’t end up being dealt in a waiver deal, Barmes should see plenty of at-bats in September and should be added in keeper leagues. His Triple-A numbers: .328-16-51 with 104 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.

The Rockies aren’t going to let a silly thing like Barmes’ total lack of offensive ability stand in the way of their plans for him. Barmes, who had a 710 OPS at Colorado Springs this year, isn’t an option as a utilityman. Letting him compete with Uribe at shortstop is OK -- the Rockies aren’t going to get much offense out of the position either way -- but he doesn’t have any value elsewhere.

He’s probably still a month away from being ready to play for the Rockies.

That’s his next step in recovery from the broken collarbone that landed him on the disabled list on June 6. Barmes said Tuesday that he’ll get an X-ray next week and if he gets the OK, he’ll soon be swinging the bat. ''I feel really good and I don’t anticipate any problems,’' he said. ''Hopefully I can get a rehab assignment after that and be back here for September.’'

If the results are positive, he will begin batting off a tee this afternoon and he could begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next week.

Barmes will have X-rays taken on his surgically repaired shoulder Tuesday and is planning on traveling with the team when it visits Los Angeles next week. He’s still shooting to be back around September 1.

Barmes will spend at least a week in the minors. It’s unlikely that he’ll be activated before Sept. 1, but the Rockies haven’t ruled it out.

Barmes will be rehabbing at Double-A Tulsa.

The Rockies have won three in a row to improve to 54-55. Despite all of his struggles this year, Barmes has 53 RBI in 99 games. He’s hitting .349 in 83 at-bats since the All-Star break.