Rockies Troy Tulowitzki Boots Two, Will Sit Out

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- attempting to come back from a knee injury -- appeared slightly shakey in his second rehabilitation start, committing two errors and going 0-3 for Single A Modesto in an 8-1 loss at Visalia.

Modesto manager Jerry Weinstein rested Tulowitzki after six innings, as the team has targeted him for a return to the majors in about 10 days. When healthy an outstanding fielder, one of Tulowitzki's errors was charged after he appeared to pull up short while trying to reach a grounder that normally would have been in his range.

Tulowitzki -- a 2007 Rookie-of-the-Year candidate -- is now 0-6 in two successive games for Modesto, and is scheduled to sit out the first of three road games against the Single A Rancho Cucamonga beginning Friday. Weinstein will bring him off the bench if Tulowitzki feels up to it, the decision being up to him.

If Tulowitzki continues to be evaluated as healthy, he will play nine innings against Cucamonga on Saturday and Sunday.

Initially Tulowitzki was expected to sit out perhaps another month or more, but the 22-year-old rising superstar has proved to be a quick healer.

Tulowitzki played only five innings in his first appearance for Modesto, and claimed he felt no discomfort. But in his second game he appeared to slightly favor his left knee, which sustained a torn quadriceps muscle May 12. Otherwise he moved with relative fluidity.

The weekend will mark the end of Tulowitzki's current stint, meaning that Modesto fans will not see him in a local game unless he is unready to advance to Triple A Colorado Springs. Tulowitzki is scheduled to return to the Rockies on or about June 20 if he continues to progress.