Drew Pomeranz doesn’t have to be the savior of the Rockies’ rotation.

With Jhoulys Chacin and Jorge De La Rosa meeting — perhaps even exceeding — the club’s expectations, Pomeranz can afford to breathe a little easier than he did last summer.

And with 23-year-old Tyler Chatwood pitching like a grizzled veteran and touting a 4-1 record and 2.13 ERA, Pomeranz has tangible proof that a trip to the minors can be time well spent.

“I’m just going to go out there and try to do what I’ve been doing in Colorado Springs,” said Pomeranz, who will be activated to start against the Giants on Sunday afternoon. “I think if I have a pretty good plan every time out, and go into games as deep as I can, I’ll be able to help these guys.”

Pomeranz admitted he was a bit angry and frustrated when he didn’t make the rotation out of spring training, but he earned a promotion by going 8-1 with a 4.20 ERA at Triple-A. Pomeranz made 22 starts last season for a ramshackle rotation that was forced to use him because of injuries and lack of veteran depth. Pomeranz went 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA and often looked raw and unpolished.

Now he can admit his demotion was a positive thing.

“I’m not going to lie, I was frustrated that I had to go down in the first place, but then I realized I needed to refine some things and mature,” Pomeranz said. “I learned to start pitching more instead of just going out there throwing and hoping I had something that day.”

Fowler update. The Rockies soon will have to make a decision on whether to put center fielder Dexter Fowler on the 15-day disabled list because of his strained right wrist. Manager Walt Weiss said the team will make a decision by Tuesday.

Fowler is frustrated by an injury that began when he was hit by a pitch June 13, resulting in a bruised knuckle on his right hand.

“It’s in the same hand, so it’s tough to say if maybe he’s compensating for the finger and putting himself in a bad position,” Weiss said. “The hand is tricky in this game. You take one swing and you can take a few steps back. We are going to try and let it calm down. We’ll give it another day or two and take it from there.”

Fowler last played Tuesday in Boston, going 0-for-4. If he were to go on the DL, the move would be retroactive to Wednesday, meaning he would be eligible to return July 12.

Footnotes. Troy Tulowitzki fielded groundballs and ran freely around the diamond Saturday morning and then took light swings off a batting tee. It was the latest step in his rehab for his broken rib. He’ll continue to crank up the intensity if he’s cleared by the team’s training and medical staffs. … Right-handed reliever Edgmer Escalona, making his return from right-elbow inflammation, allowed one hit in 1 ⅓ innings Friday night in a rehab appearance with Colorado Springs.

Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428, psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp