Troy Tulowitzki is known for turning heads. On Tuesday, the Rockies’ lineup card caught his attention. The slumping shortstop’s name wasn’t on it.
“It’s not a work day. I am benched,” said Tulowitzki, batting .165 in 70 at-bats. “I need to do better.”
Clint Barmes, who has taken over the starting job at second base, started in Tulowitzki’s place against the Phillies, with Jeff Baker getting the nod at second. Tulo later entered as a defensive replacement.
Manager Clint Hurdle didn’t rule out Tulowitzki sitting for more than one day. Hurdle is also considering moving Tulowitzki down in the order when he returns, dropping him from second to likely seventh, where he hit .294 with eight home runs in 62 games last season.
“It’s not a slap in the face. Players know when they aren’t performing well,” Hurdle said. “At the end of the day, this is a game about production.”
Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd dismissed the “sophomore slump” as a factor in Tulowitzki’s play. O’Dowd said the shortstop’s struggles mirror last April’s.
“He’s trying too hard again,” O’Dowd said. “He’s a very good player who is going to have to battle through this. It’s a painful part of his maturation.”
Tulowitzki insists opposing pitchers aren’t attacking him any differently.
“I still think I am headed in the right direction,” said Tulowitzki, who has no issue where he hits in the lineup. “I am going to figure this out.”
