Troy Tulowitzki is done for the season and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is likely done, too, after playing in just 70 games.
The Rockies’ outfielder underwent another examination Wednesday on his aching left knee. The MRI revealed more damage than a previous test, so Gonzalez will consult with the team’s training staff and various doctors on Thursday to decide on a treatment plan.
“(The MRI) did show some changes from his previous MRI on his patella tendon, meaning that it is getting worse,” trainer Keith Dugger said. “The irritation to the area is a little worse off than it was when we did one earlier in the year.”
Gonzalez, 28, has suffered from left knee tendinitis since last season, and it’s bothered him acutely at times this season. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday.
According to Dugger, the Rockies are exploring a number of treatment options, including surgery or treatments such as plasma-rich platelets or stem-cell therapy.
The only way CarGo will play again this season is if it’s decided that rest and rehab will allow him back on the field. That is an unlikely scenario.
Thursday, Gonzalez will meet with Dr. Thomas Hackett, of Frisco, who performed the MRI. Also taking part in the consultation will be Rockies medical director Dr. Thomas J. Noonan, Rockies rehab coordinator Scott Murayama, and Dugger.
Also on Wednesday, the Rockies announced that Tulowitzki will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a tear in his left hip labrum.
It’s been a difficult year for Gonzalez. He had his appendix removed in January. Then, early in the season, his left index finger ballooned up to three times its normal size. It became so painful, he couldn’t grip a baseball, let alone a bat. In June, he had a tumor removed from the finger. The growth was famously described by trainer Dugger as “a fatty mass with tentacles.”
The tendinitis in his left knee is something CarGo is trying to learn to fight through and manage. It was made worse be the tender right ankle that put more pressure on the knee.
CarGo also has been dealing with care and well-being of his two baby girls. He and his wife, Indonesia, welcomed the twins, Carlota and Genova, on June 13. They were just 30 weeks old at birth. Genova has been home for a while. Carlota finally came home from the hospital last Friday.
Gonzalez, who won the National League batting title in 2010 when he hit .336 with 36 homers, is batting .238 with just 11 homers in limited action this year. He has struck out 70 times and walked just 19 times. His on-base percentage is .292.
Kirk Kenny contributed to this story from San Diego
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp
