Tulowitzki Sends Himself to the 15-Day DL

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who had returned from the DL only three weeks ago after missing 46 games, suffered a bad cut on his right hand after slamming his maple bat to the ground in frustration.

Tulowitzki took responsibility for the incident, calling it a "stupid injury that I could have prevented."

His regret is of little comfort to the Rockies who will be without their starting shortstop for an estimated two weeks.

This is only the latest in a long line of freak injuries for Rockies players. In 2005, second baseman Clint Barmes broke his collarbone in a fall while carrying a large slab of meat given to him by teammate Todd Helton up the stairs in his apartment building.

Rockies Troy Tulowitzki Hitting, Running Well

Injured Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- hitting just .156 before going down with a knee injury after 26 games -- finally is swinging the bat with authority, even if it is against only minor league pitching.

Tulowitzki's resurgence is unsurprising considering he was running well enough this week to steal a base for Triple A Colorado Springs, not to mention going 3-7 with a double in two rehabilitation starts for his team's Triple A Pacific Coast League affiliate at Colorado Springs.

His return to major league play is expected tonight, according to radio station KOA .850 in Denver.

Observers have reported to MLB Newsonline that Tulowitzki occasionally appears slightly tentative, as he is coming off a muscle tear that initially had been anticipated to keep him out of action until the All Star break or beyond. Tulowitzki told MLB.com he is experiencing no pain, however.

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Troy Tulowitzki Plays Nine in Single A Rehab

Recovering Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki appeared energized and refreshed after taking the previous night off to be with Los Angeles area friends, going 3-5 with a run scored for Single A Modesto as the Nuts defeated Rancho Cucamonga 12-10 in Tulowitzki's first full game since going on the disabled list with a torn quadriceps muscle last month.

Having played five innings in his first rehab start at Visalia Wednesday, and six Thursday, the young star was granted permission to leave the team and rest Friday night after starting the game at designated hitter, batting once and then departing with his acquaintances.

Tulowitzki has been moving with relative fluidity, though he occassionally appears to be slightly favoring his injured knee, which is normal.

"Other than that, he looks pretty good," said Greg Young, play-by-play broadcaster for KESP Radio in Modesto.

Barring setbacks, Tulowitzki is to make his last appearance with the Nuts tonight, then travel to Triple A Colorado Springs for another week of rehab starts.

The 22-year-old former Long Beach State standout -- second runner up in last year's Rookie of the Year balloting -- signed a six-year, $31-million contract extension last year and is expected to be eased back into the Rockies lineup as soon as possible, perhaps by June 20.

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.

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.