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 fractured right fibula, suffered when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of J.J. Hardy of the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning Tuesday.

The fracture is to a nonweight- bearing bone, and Hirsh wound up pitching six innings 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 needed because of a limited bench in light of nagging injuries to center fielder Willy Taveras (left quadriceps) 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," Hurdle said.

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 Tuesday, putting him on schedule to start 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 left-hander Franklin Morales, recently promoted from Double-A Tulsa (Okla.) to Triple-A Colorado Springs, would be at the top of the list to take Hirsh's rotation spot starting Aug. 18 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

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 Elmer Dessens to a minor league contract if he clears waivers today and would assign him to Colorado Springs, which would make him a possibility, depending on how strong he is.

Hurdle ruled out three possibilities for Sunday. 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 Colorado Springs after making his second start Wednesday, will not be promoted and debut on three days of rest.