Francis is going through workouts with the Rockies, but doesn't know when he will be pitching in a game after battling a strained shoulder since last season.

"The best case scenario is that I am pitching off the mound in the next three or four days. Hopefully I start to build up and by the end of spring I will be able to be in a game," Francis said Monday. "If all goes well I might be back with the team by May."

The Rockies have not given Francis a timetable to decide if surgery is required. He is not slated to be in the rotation when the regular season begins.

Francis, a vital part of the Rockies' successful run to the World Series in 2007, spent a stint on the disabled list during the 2008 season before being shut down early in September.

"We are going to keep working with Jeff. He has been very forthright in how he feels," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We are probably going to guard on the side of caution."

Colorado picked up Jason Marquis in a trade with the Chicago Cubs to help ease the burden of not having Francis in the mix. Francis, who was 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA in 2007, hopes he will return soon.

"It is tiresome for me to wonder how it is going to be every day," Francis said. "Right now it is OK, not the greatest. We will see."

Francis was 4-10 with a 5.01 ERA last year with discomfort in his shoulders, but MRI's have not shown a clear-cut problem. Bullpen sessions the next few days should tell more.

"I have been told MRI's for throwing athletes are not 100 percent conclusive," Francis said. "You never know there might be something not showing up or just inflammation lingering around."

But Francis said the pain has eased.

"That has made me a little more optimistic," he said.