Tucson – That wasn’t a breeze stirring the Arizona desert late Sunday morning. It was the Rockies breathing a sigh of relief after being assured that blue-chip shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s right wrist was not broken.
“I’m sure he feels better, and we feel better,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
The rookie was hit just above the right wrist Saturday by a pitch from the San Diego Padres’ Doug Brocail. At first there were fears Tulowitzki, 22, suffered a broken bone, but X-rays on Sunday morning were negative, clearing the way for his return.
“I’m pretty much day to day, and tomorrow I’ll take swings and some throws and see how it goes,” Tulowitzki said.
Tulowitzki is competing with Clint Barmes for a starting job and a roster spot, so he knows he can’t afford to sit for long.
“It’s kind of a different situation because I’m trying to win a job and I still have to prove myself,” he said. “So I’m going to get back on the field as soon as I can, but I’m not going to rush it.”
Added Hurdle: “We’ll give him the time that he needs until he’s physically capable of going out there to compete.”
Getting drilled by Brocail set off some anxious moments.
“I was scared,” Tulowitzki said. “Supposedly there is a nerve that runs through to your two fingers, and both my pinky and ring finger were very numb. I didn’t have feeling in them for quite some time, so I was very nervous.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
