Left-hander Chris Rusin now in the rotation; right-hander Jordan Lyles sent down to Triple-A.

Left-hander Chris Rusin reported to spring training intent on winning a spot in the Rockies’ starting rotation. But those plans were scuttled when the middle finger of his left hand became inflamed and swollen.

Now Rusin is a starter again, in part because of his impressive work as a long reliever this season, and in part because right-hander Jordan Lyles has pitched so poorly.

Rusin is scheduled to start Friday at Arizona, while Lyles will be pitching for Triple-A Albuquerque, trying to find his been walking many, and my secondary pitches have been good,” Rusin said. “All in all, I feel pretty good.”

Lyles has had a rough April, going 1-1 with a 7.64 ERA in four starts. He was hit hard again Sunday in a 12-10 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing seven runs (five earned) in less than three innings. He’s been unable to adequately command his fastball, which has resulted in 11 walks in just over 17 innings.

“We have to get Jordan right, and that’s tough to do going against major-leaguers every fifth day,” manager Walt Weiss said. “We know (his talent) is in there, we saw it just a week ago in Cincinnati.”

Lyles pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits in Colorado’s 5-1 win over the Reds.

Weiss said Lyles has not been as aggressive as the club had hoped. Lyles’ fastball command has not been good, but Weiss said he doesn’t think Lyles has major issues with his pitching mechanics.

“We have guys who are on top of those things,” Weiss said. “Mechanically, we feel like he’s pretty sound.”

Footnote. As expected, catcher Nick Hundley came off the seven-day concussion disabled list and made a start Monday night against Pittsburgh. To make room on the 25-man roster, backup catcher Dustin Garneau was optioned to Triple-A.