Tulo Fans

NEW YORK — Levity helps when approaching forgettable history. The Rockies are playing better, but 100 losses lurks as a possible conclusion to the season.
Infielder Jonathan Herrera is not Ryan Spilborghs, but he has a way of lightening the mood in any clubhouse. Asked about his swinging, 70-foot pop-up single in Sunday’s win at Coors Field, he said, “The wind was blowing in.”

No teammate tore his oblique laughing, a sign that the roster carnage might finally remain minimal. With about a quarter of the season left — 42 games — there were actually developments Monday that didn’t leave fans requiring Kleenex or an aspirin.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki took groundballs and batting practice at Citi Field. Wednesday, he will visit the Philadelphia specialist who performed surgery on his left groin June 21. If Tulowitzki passes that checkup, he is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend at an undetermined locale (my educated guess is Tulsa, followed by Colorado Springs).

The Rockies have remained in contact with the doctor throughout Tulowitzki’s recovery. He has progressed on schedule, with the Rockies taking every precaution given the nature of their season.

First baseman Jason Giambi also traveled with the team to New York, working out and taking groundballs. He is likely to begin a rehab assignment this weekend as well if his energy level remains consistent over the next few days. If Giambi plays this month, he could be traded to a contender. He’s not looking for an escape hatch, only to prove to himself that he can still swing it when his body is right.

Getting Tulo back on the field to play in September seems foolish to a lot of fans, based on my e-mails.
But it accomplishes three things: It eliminates all doubt in his head entering the offseason, gives all-star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez a chance to finish with a flourish (he has seven home runs in the 71 games Tulo has missed) and pairs Tulowitzki with Josh Rutledge, the potential opening-day double play combination next year.

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Source: The Denver Post