He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays.

He became the fourth player to be honoured in the same season by both publications, joining Andruw Jones (1995–1996), Rick Ankiel (1999), and Josh Beckett (2001).

Combined between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs, Francis went 16–3 with a 2.21 ERA and .194 average against in 24 starts.

Francis made his major league debut on August 25, 2004, against the Atlanta Braves, losing the 8–1 decision.

On October 3, 2007, Francis became the first Canadian starting pitcher to win a Major League Baseball postseason game by beating the Philadelphia Phillies.

On October 24, 2007, Francis became the second Canadian starting pitcher to pitch in the World Series but struggled in lasting only four innings and allowing six runs.

[3] In addition, the surgery forced Francis to decline the invitation to play for Team Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

[5] In his first game back since his injury, Francis pitched seven innings, allowing two walks and seven hits in a 3–2 Rockies win over the Nationals on May 16, 2010.

On January 14, 2011, Francis agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals for $2 million plus performance bonuses.

[8] Francis decided to exercise a June 1 opt-out clause after pitching a complete-game shutout for the Triple A Louisville Bats.

[9] After opting out of his contract with the Reds, Francis agreed to a major league deal with the Rockies on June 7, 2012.

[12] 2013 was a horrible year for Francis as he pitched half the season in the bullpen, appearing in 23 games while making 12 starts.

On January 13, 2014, Francis signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Cincinnati Reds.

[14] He was designated for assignment and placed on waivers the next day[15] after allowing three runs in five innings to pick up the loss in his one start for the Reds.

[21] On October 31, 2014, he signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training.

[23] He made his debut that day, and in pitching to Russell Martin, formed the first all-Canadian battery in franchise history.