Troy Tulowitzki Returns to Action at Visalia

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- initially expected to be out until the All-Star break or beyond with a quadriceps muscle tear -- has so far proved to be an especially quick healer as he returned to action in a rehabilitation start this week for the Single A Modesto Nuts.

Tulowitzki went 0-for-2 but drove in a run with a sacrifice fly at Visalia, according to The Modesto Bee.

It was Tulowitzki's first game since being injured on April 29. If Tulowitzki continues to move freely, without pain and with confidence, preliminary indications point to a return to Denver well before the end of the week, though the team may want to avoid rushing him as he had been struggling at the plate even before he was injured.

Tulowitzki was expected to continue traveling with the team for another start, with further evaluation to be taken from there.