Strikeouts caught up to Drew Stubbs on Wednesday as the Rockies sent their struggling veteran outfielder to the minor leagues in an unusual move. Stubbs was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque and replaced by outfielder Brandon Barnes, who was called up from the Isotopes.

The Rockies ran out of time waiting for Stubbs to find his swing. He had 30 strikeouts in 51 at-bats. He struggled at the plate throughout spring training and his slump only deepened once the regular season began. He is hitting .118 with two home runs.

Stubbs, 30, is in his seventh season and second with the Rockies. Because he has accumulated enough big-league service time, his contract allows him to refuse any assignment to the minor leagues. But Stubbs accepted the move to work on his hitting.

“We felt like Drew just needed to get away from the heat of the major league stage so he could work on some things,” manager Walt Weiss said. “He was in full agreement. He was very professional about it. He understands. He wants go down there and to get right.”

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Stubbs signed a one-year, $5.825 million contract in January to avoid arbitration. By accepting the demotion, he continues on that contract.

And Stubbs, it appears, remains on the Rockies’ radar. As a fourth outfielder last season, Stubbs led the team in starts at center field. And the Rockies want him to return once his swing improves.

“He’s a major-league player. He’s a very gifted player,” Weiss said. “(His struggle) is tied to his rhythm and timing more than anything mechanical. He has a very good understanding of what he needs to do down there.”

Barnes, 29, will likely fill in at all three outfield positions — especially left field while Corey Dickerson is on the disabled list.

Ben Paulsen, who was called up Tuesday, started in left field Wednesday night against the Phillies.

In his first season with Colorado last year, Barnes led the major leagues with 18 pinch hits, including four doubles, three triples and two home runs. After revamping his swing in spring training, with a higher leg kick similar to Matt Holliday with the Cardinals, Barnes started the year in Triple-A.

“It’s good to be back,” Barnes said Wednesday. “I’m in a good place. My numbers weren’t what I want them to be. But I tried to look at it as an opportunity to get better.”

The Rockies are hopeful that Barnes, perhaps their most athletic player, can provide a spark.

“He brings a a ton of energy,” Weiss said. “That’s part of who he is. It sounds somewhat generic, but when you play virtually every day, sometimes it’s a shot in the arm when a guy like Brandon Barnes shows up.”

Barnes re-joins a team that has won just three of its past 16 games going into Wednesday.

“We don’t have time,” Barnes said. “Each and every pitch is big.”

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke