SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Pitcher Jeff Francis was suspended for five regular-season games and manager Clint Hurdle was suspended for one game in a decision announced Friday by Bob Watson, the head of on- field operations for Major League Baseball.

Francis is expected to appeal the decision and had not been informed of the amount of his fine. His suspension will be held in abeyance pending the outcome of a hearing expected to occur in New York when the Rockies play the Mets April 23- 25.

Francis' suspension arose from an incident Tuesday when he threw behind San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff, an Evergreen High School graduate. A warning already had been issued to both teams after Doug Brocail hit Matt Holliday with a pitch. Three days earlier, Brocail had hit Troy Tulowitzki with a pitch.

"It's unfortunate," Francis said. "You have to follow the rules, and when you don't, there's always punishment for that. That's what it comes down to."

The Rockies were hopeful Francis would avoid a suspension and escape with a fine based on a similar incident this spring. Detroit pitcher Todd Jones was fined after throwing a pitch behind Boston's J.D. Drew in a game where Boston starter Josh Beckett already had hit Gary Sheffield with a pitch and then beaned Magglio Ordoñez with a breaking ball. But since no warning had been issued in that game, Jones was not suspended.

Hurdle, who also was fined, is scheduled to serve his suspension April 3. He still can be in the dugout when the Rockies open against Arizona at Coors Field a day earlier.

Should Francis decide not to appeal, the Rockies, because they have an off day scheduled April 5, could get through their first five games without using their fifth starter by bringing their Opening Day starter back April 7. Under that scenario, Francis could serve his suspension the first five games of the regular season and return April 8, when the Rockies play their sixth game.