Rotation help? Here’s how it looks down on the farm in Albuquerque

MILW AUKEE» With the question still unanswered about whether southpaw Tyler Anderson will turn around his season, there have been plenty of eyes looking toward the organization’s top pitching prospect, Triple-A Albuquerque right-hander Peter Lambert.

But the stat line indicates Lambert, 22, could use some more seasoning with the Isotopes. He’s 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA in five starts with Albuquerque and was hit around in his last outing via six runs, and two homers, in five innings.

Here’s a look at how the other Isotopes’ starters are faring this season.

Jeff Hoffman, 26: After three ugly starts to begin 2019 with the Isotopes — including a four-inning, 10-run implosion April 16 — Hoffman filled in for Kyle Freeland against the Washington Nationals on April 23, allowing four runs in five innings. But Hoffman’s latest outing with Albuquerque was more promising: He allowed one run over seven innings pitched. He’s probably the most likely player to get recalled to fill a need at the back of Colorado’s rotation, considering his three-plus seasons of big-league experience.

Ryan After spending the last two seasons with Double-A Hartford, an Arizona Fall League nod, followed by a strong spring, propelled the right-hander to Albuquerque for this season. In five starts, Castellani is 2-1 with a 5.32 ERA, and his chances of a call-up will increase as he continues to hone a changeup that’s already become a weapon for him.

Chi Chi Gonzalez, After springing last season in the minor leagues of the Texas Rangers’ organization, Gonzalez is the other Isotopes starter with major-league experience. The right-hander pitched for parts of two seasons with Texas in 2015 and 2016, going 4-8 with a 4.54 ERA in 13 starts (17 appearances). The former firstround draft pick from 2013 has made four starts for the Isotopes, going 2-0 with a 6.63 ERA.

Evan Grills, 26: The lone southpaw in Albuquerque’s usual rotation, Grills is sidelined on the seven-day injured list with an unspecified injury. After posting a 3.90 ERA in 16 starts for Hartford last season, Grills is 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA in three starts for the Isotopes.

Granted, all this discussion could be tabled — and eventually become moot — if Anderson starts to pitch well, beginning with his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the series opener at Coors Field on Friday night.

The southpaw remains confident he can recement his spot in the rotation.

“I feel pretty good,” Anderson said. “Even in my last outing — when they got four hits, and three of them were homers, which is not good — two of three pitches they hit homers on were down and in and down and away. So I’ve got to continue to not give in, go out there, attack each guy and compete each time.”

Chris Iannetta injury update.

The Rockies’ opening-day starter behind the dish has been on the injury list since April 15 with a right lat strain but is working his way back. Iannetta is 0for-8 with a sacrifice fly across three games with Hartford. Rockies manager Bud Black said there’s no timetable for his return and that he’s pleased with the overall way the catching trio of Iannetta, Tony Wolters and Drew Butera have managed the position this season.

“Chris has been feeling good, and he came out of the three games (with Hartford) with no issues,” Black said. “(Meanwhile) we know Drew from last year and the job he’s done for us. Tony’s getting more comfortable as a bigleaguer every day. We feel good about our catching on a number of levels, even though all three of those guys would tell you they’d like to provide a little more offense.”

Colorado is hitting a combined .250 with seven RBIs and one homer from the trio this season.