PHOENIX -- Rockies manager Jim Tracy set the rotation for the weekend series against the Reds, naming Drew Pomeranz as the starter for Friday's series opener at Coors Field.

Pomeranz, who experienced left arm soreness during his start Friday night, was skipped during his normal turn in the rotation Tuesday but has been throwing without pain. The club called up Edwar Cabrera from the Minor Leagues to pitch in Pomeranz's place.

Tracy added that Christian Friedrich will pitch for the Rockies on Saturday against Johnny Cueto, and Jonathan Sanchez is scheduled to take the hill Sunday against Mat Latos.

"We just want to get [Pomeranz] back out there pitching. That's how he is going to learn," Tracy said. "We wanted to make sure that physically nothing is wrong and get him back out there. On Friday, it will have been a week."

Pomeranz's return will push back Jeff Francis, who started Wednesday against the D-backs, to Tuesday. That's a good thing, Tracy said.

"I would love for Jeff Francis to go out there tonight and just deal," Tracy said on Wednesday. "I don't want to take a starter out. I want to sit there like a lot of guys and see this guy into the seventh inning and still put up zeros and maybe we scratch a run. I'm waiting on that. I've been waiting for a while. I'm waiting for the message to come back my way."

CarGo gets two-day breather

PHOENIX -- Don't be alarmed.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said he simply gave All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez the night off Wednesday and will pencil him back in the lineup on Friday against the Reds.

"If you look at the last couple of nights offensively, I see a guy that is beginning to tire," Tracy said. "There's sluggishness to his swing. I believe five strikeouts in the first two ballgames of this series. We have a day off tomorrow. He'll get a couple days off and he's ready to go Friday against Cincinnati."

Gonzalez has a .289 batting average (13-for-51) with two doubles, a triple and three home runs since the All-Star break. He's 4-for-17 with seven strikeouts in his last five games.

Rockies on the mend

PHOENIX -- Several ailing Rockies players are making progress and making their way back to the field.

Infielder Jonathan Herrera, who is on the disabled list because of an infection in his left wrist, will work out with Triple-A Colorado Springs in Reno on Thursday and play on Friday. Pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery following a season-ending injury to his left elbow in May 2011, is throwing on flat ground consistently, maxing out at 140 feet. Rockies manager Jim Tracy said the lefty is not close to pitching from a mound.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who had groin surgery last month, is hitting off a tee, throwing and participating in a running program.

"I was asked yesterday if I have information from a timetable standpoint," Tracy said. "I have none for you."

Jhoulys Chacin, who has been on the DL since May 2 with inflammation in his right shoulder, will throw a bullpen session on Thursday. The session will simulate a game situation with rest between innings.

"Hopefully, during the course of a few of those pitches in each of those innings that he will throw, he will get to a point where he is ready to turn it loose and see where he stands," Tracy said. "In fact, if that turns out OK, we will looking into moving him along and getting him moving forward to a rehab."

Chris Nelson, on the DL with an irregular heartbeat, has been resting and Tracy said the club hopes to increase his activity level when he is cleared.