The Rockies are looking for a starting pitcher for Sunday's series finale against the Chicago Cubs.

It won't be Jason Hirsh. He was placed on the disabled list Thursday with a fracture right fibula, suffered when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy in the first inning Tuesday. The fracture is to a non-weight-bearing bone. Hirsh wound up pitching six innings in Tuesday's start to get the win, but the Rockies don't want to take chances with having him try to pitch through the injury.

The Rockies filled Hirsh's spot on the roster by bringing up infielder Clint Barmes, a move manager Clint Hurdle said was necessitated because of a limited bench in light of nagging injuries to center fielder Willy Taveras (left quad) and first baseman Todd Helton (back spasms). As for replacing Hirsh in the rotation Sunday, Hurdle put that decision on hold.

"We have internal options and we will probably continue to look at things on the (waiver) wire," said Hurdle.

Internally, the most logical option would be veteran Tim Harikkala, who recently signed with Colorado Springs. After making three relief appearances he pitched six innings for a win in a start on Tuesday, putting him on schedule to start again Sunday. Harikkala appeared in 55 games with the Rockies in 2004.

Once the Rockies get past the Sunday start, they can look at a more long-term decision, and lefty Franklin Morales, recently promoted from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Colorado Springs, would be at the top of the list to take over Hirsh's rotation spot starting with an Aug. 18 game at Los Angeles. He will make his third start for the Sky Sox on Monday night, putting him on schedule for the game against the Dodgers.

The Rockies also are expected to sign veteran Elmer Dessens to a minor-league contract if he clears waivers today, and assign him to Colorado Springs, which would make him a possibility depending on how well strong he is when he joins the Sky Sox this weekend.

Hurdle did rule out three possibilities for Sunday's start. He said he will not move Taylor Buchholz out of the long relief role in which he has excelled. Jeff Francis will not be asked to come back on three days of rest. And Morales, who is 2-0 at Triple-A Colorado Springs after making his second start Wednesday, will not be promoted to the big leagues and asked to make his debut on three days of rest.

"We have internal options and we will probably continue to look at things on the (waiver) wire," said Hurdle.