DENVER -- A line drive that hit the right leg of Rockies pitcher Jason Hirsh during the first inning of Tuesday night's 11-4 victory over the Brewers did more damage than originally believed. X-rays taken on Wednesday revealed a fractured fibula.

What that means is uncertain. The Rockies will reevaluate Hirsh on Thursday.

J.J. Hardy's liner hit Hirsh's right calf. Hirsh picked the ball up and threw Hardy out at first base, then completed six innings, during which he held the Brewers to three runs and improved his record to 5-7, with a 4.81 ERA.

It was Hirsh's second start since returning from a sprained right ankle that cost him almost a month.

If Hirsh returns to the DL, the Rockies will have to make a decision. The club determined over the course of the season that right-hander Taylor Buchholz is more effective as a reliever than a spot-starter.

An option is left-handed prospect Franklin Morales, who was scheduled to make his second start for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday at Albuquerque. Morales was promoted after going 3-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A Tulsa.

The diagnosis came as a surprise to the rookie Hirsh. Before the results of the X-ray were known on Wednesday morning, Hirsh said his calf was "tight," but he didn't think it was anything that would disturb his preparation for his next start.

Now he isn't sure.

A bemused Hirsh said, "It's been one thing after another. You know I rolled the ankle and now I get hit in the same foot and ended up breaking the bone there. But it's a non-weight-baring muscle, and we'll go tomorrow and throw."

"If I can throw without altering my mechanics, they'll have a discussion. If not, the DL is probably my next destination."

The Rockies are already without one starting rotation member, right-hander Rodrigo Lopez, whom the Rockies diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. He could miss the rest of the season.

Lopez said a second opinion from Angels medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum confirmed the tear, but all the medical personnel are collecting information before deciding whether to operate.

The Rockies also announced that catcher Edwin Bellorin, who suffered a strained left hamstring on Wednesday in his Major League debut, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Catcher Alvin Colina was promoted from Triple-A Colorado Springs in his place.

In happier injury news for the Rockies, three-time All-Star reliever Brian Fuentes, a left-hander who hasn't pitched since July 3 because of a strained left lat muscle, will pitch for Colorado Springs on Friday against Tacoma to begin an injury rehab assignment.

He will be evaluated on Saturday, with an eye toward having him continue the rehab with a bullpen appearance on Sunday.