DENVER -- Uncertainty over the health of left-handed starter Brett Anderson, who is recovering from back surgery, led the Rockies to decline his $12 million option for 2015.The decision leaves the Rockies looking for a frontline starter for their rotation, and it makes Anderson a free agent. Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich didn't rule out the possibility that the Rockies could re-sign Anderson as part of their strategy for improving their starting pitching. 
The Rockies acquired Anderson, 26, from the Athletics on Dec. 10, 2013, for lefty Drew Pomeranz and Minor League righty Chris Jensen. Anderson made two trips to the 60-day disabled list -- for a fractured left index finger he sustained on April 12, and for a season-ending back injury that occurred on Aug. 5. He finished the season 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 41 1/3 innings."Obviously, you have to take into account what happened this past season," Bridich said. "There are still some health and rehab and medical things that need to be determined on Brett as the offseason goes on here. So far so good. Everything is for sure going well, which is great for him. But with so much still up in the air, it was tough to commit to $12 million on Nov. 1."We're leaving the door open to Brett, depending on his health. We're hopeful and he's hopeful he'll return to health before the start of the season. Just like all free agents, we'll reach out and talk to him."Injuries have been an issue for Anderson for much of his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in July 2011 and was limited to 13 starts that season and six regular-season starts and one in the playoffs at the Major League level in 2012. In 2013, he battled foot and ankle injuries and finished 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA in 16 games, including five starts, and made a relief appearance in the playoffs.Anderson announced his status in a tweet.
The Rockies acquired Anderson, 26, from the Athletics on Dec. 10, 2013, for lefty Drew Pomeranz and Minor League righty Chris Jensen. Anderson made two trips to the 60-day disabled list -- for a fractured left index finger he sustained on April 12, and for a season-ending back injury that occurred on Aug. 5. He finished the season 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 41 1/3 innings."Obviously, you have to take into account what happened this past season," Bridich said. "There are still some health and rehab and medical things that need to be determined on Brett as the offseason goes on here. So far so good. Everything is for sure going well, which is great for him. But with so much still up in the air, it was tough to commit to $12 million on Nov. 1."We're leaving the door open to Brett, depending on his health. We're hopeful and he's hopeful he'll return to health before the start of the season. Just like all free agents, we'll reach out and talk to him."Injuries have been an issue for Anderson for much of his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in July 2011 and was limited to 13 starts that season and six regular-season starts and one in the playoffs at the Major League level in 2012. In 2013, he battled foot and ankle injuries and finished 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA in 16 games, including five starts, and made a relief appearance in the playoffs.Anderson announced his status in a tweet.
Who has 2 thumbs and is a free agent...this guy.
— Brett Anderson (@BAnderson_30) November 1, 2014
The decision not to pick up the option leaves the Rockies in the market for an impact starter to go with lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who is beginning a two-year, $25 million contract after going 14-11 with a 4.10 ERA in 2014, and righty Jhoulys Chacin, who went 14-10 in 2013 but battled shoulder injuries in 2014 and went 1-7 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 starts before being shut down for rehab.Rookie lefty Tyler Matzek (6-11, 4.05 ERA) was a revelation thanks to his strong 2014 finish, but the Rockies will seek proven quality and depth for the rotation."We've said that pitching depth is a priority, so we'll be supremely focused on that this offseason," Bridich said. "We'll see what the numbers will be in terms of how many new faces are brought into play here."In other pitching-related news, Bridich said the club interviewed six candidates for two open pitching coach jobs. The Rockies announced on Oct. 23 that they would not retain pitching coach Jim Wright and assistant pitching coach Bo McLaughlin. Bridich did not reveal the names of the candidates.Thomas Harding/MLB.com
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