Troy Tulowitzki was playing with joy, freedom and power. That was reflected in his MVP-worthy stats: a major-league best .340 batting average , 21 home runs, and a .603 slugging percentage. He was the leading vote-getter among National League players for last week’s All-Star Game.
But Tulo’s dream season came to a frustrating halt Tuesday when his long history of leg injuries bumped him off the diamond again.
The Rockies’ shortstop was placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the club is calling a “left hip flexor strain.” Tulowitzki injured his left leg running to first base Saturday night in a game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. His stint on the DL is retroactive to Sunday, meaning he would be eligible to return Aug. 5.
The chronic tightness in his left hip can be traced back to May 29, 2008 when he tore his left quadriceps tendon while fielding a groundball during a game at San Francisco.
“It is tough. You guys know how hard I’ve worked to try to stay healthy. This whole year I’ve done a decent job at it,” he said before the Rockies hosted the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. “It’s always going to be a battle for me, with my injury history.
“Obviously, (with) the quad tear in ’08, it’s been an uphill battle from then on because all the muscles have to work that much harder.”
Tulo’s injury history, unfortunately, has become part of his résumé. He played in only 690 of 972 possible games from 2008-13. He’s played in 91 of the Rockies’ 99 game this season.
However, unlike the quadriceps injury in 2008 that cost him 46 games, or the surgery to his left groin that limited him to 47 games in 2012, Tulo said this leg injury is not nearly as severe.
“To have a flair up is not bad,” he said. “It was one of those things where they decided to put me on the DL just because I probably wouldn’t be able to go these next couple of days. You need those guys on the bench. Plus it will give me time to rest.”
Head trainer Keith Dugger said the injury is “not a big deal,” but added that there are no guarantees Tulo will be ready to return at the end of his 15-day stint on the DL.
“He tweaked a little scar tissue in there and tweaked a little bit of the muscle,” Dugger said. “It’s hard for me to say when he’ll come back. We’ll see at a week to 10 days, then we’ll see where his pain scale is. It’s hard to put a time frame on this.”
Tulo did admit the current injury is “more severe than the hiccups I’ve had this season.”
Still, he’s hopeful he can return close to 100 percent and finish strong in a season that was shaping up to be the best of his career.
“That’s the plan,” he said. “One thing I don’t lack is confidence. When I’m back I’ll be a confident player out there, but to be a confident player you need to be confident in your body. So I have to be healthy before I come back. So I’m not going to rush this thing, especially with where we’re at, there’s no need to rush. I need to be 100 percent.”
Manager Walt Weiss said putting Tulo on the DL was the wise move.
“We knew it was going to be a few days, plus we’re short-handed, and we’ve got enough challenges right now,” he said. “We felt like it was the right thing to do. He’s getting better.”
Tulowitzki has developed a rigid routine to remain as healthy as possible, so he takes comfort in the fact that he’s done all he can to stay on the field.
“I’ve matured a little bit, and I’ve said all along that if something were to happen this year, it’s a lot easier for me to take, because I’ve done everything I possibly can to prepare myself every day,” he said. “There are no regrets, and that’s nice.”
Josh Rutledge started at shortstop Tuesday night and will be Tulo’s primary replacement.
Footnotes. Taking Tulo’s place on the 25-man roster was left-handed starter Yohan Flande, who was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs and started Tuesday’s game. … Right-hander Jordan Lyles (broken left hand) moved closer to returning. He threw a 50-pitch bullpen Tuesday and is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start Saturday. … Lefty reliever Boone Logan, placed on the DL on Monday due to a case of diverticulitis, was back at Coors Field on Tuesday. He called the condition that afflicts the digestive tract “pretty painful,” adding that he’s on a heavy dose of antibiotics.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp
Looking ahead
Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg (7-7, 3.55 ERA) at Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (10-6, 4.39), 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, no TV; 850 AM
Every time De La Rosa takes the mound, he’s auditioning for another team. The Orioles have shown the most interest in a trade. The Pirates, Angels and Yankees could also be shopping for De La Rosa. Owner Dick Monfort has said he wants the lefty back, but in order for that to happen, the Rockies would have to make a $14 million qualifying offer after the season. If De La Rosa declines, he’ll become a free agent and the Rockies will net a draft pick if they don’t re-sign him.
Thursday: Off
Friday: Pirates’ Charlie Morton (5-9, 3.28 ERA) at Rockies’ Brett Anderson (0-3, 4.00), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Saturday: Pirates’ Jeff Locke (2-1, 3.05) at Rockies’ Tyler Matzek (1-4, 4.91), 6:10 p.m., ROOT
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
