Scott

Elarton

Elarton is expected to begin a 30-day rehab assignment as soon as the minor league season starts. After he makes six starts, the Rockies will decide whether to bring him to the majors or option him to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The Rockies won’t go to arbitration with Elarton, but it appears the two sides will be able to come to terms on a one-year deal with a low base salary and incentives.

Elarton is expected to get a $475,000 contract. He might be a sleeper elsewhere, but he’s not interesting as long he remains a member of the Rockies.

Elarton was considered the top candidate to be removed from the rotation after the return of Denny Stark, but the Rockies might decide not to wait, calling up either Jason Young or Cory Vance to start on Wednesday.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he never has seen the right-hander’s motion “more free and easy.” Hurdle has penciled Elarton in to be Colorado’s No. 2 starter, which might make him a sleeper if this were any other team.

Elarton will report to Triple-A Buffalo today and hopes to join the Indians’ rotation within a month.

The Rockies will eat the remaining $369,000 of his $480,000 contract. Elarton should be able to catch on with some team that believes he just needs to get out of Coors Field.

Elarton allowed three homers tonight, bringing his total to 17 surrendered over his last 10 starts. He can’t afford to keep up that kind of rate for much longer.

The Indians committed three errors -- two on the same play -- during Detroit’s five-run second inning. If not for the errors, Elarton likely would have been in line for a win. Instead, the victory went to David Riske when Cleveland had to come from behind in the eighth.

Elarton will miss the rest of 2006 and at least the first two months of 2007 following surgery to repair a torn labrum.