DENVER—Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was held out of the opener of a key four-game series against the San Francisco Giants because of the stomach flu.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Tulowitzki vomited earlier Friday and was told to stay home rather than report to Coors Field with the rest of the team upon their return from a trip to Florida and Washington.
Tracy said he believes it’s just a 24-hour bug but said the team would monitor Tulowitzki over the weekend.
“When we revisit it, if it’s tomorrow or if it’s the day after, we have to make sure that he’s completely hydrated and not run the risk that he is a little bit dehydrated and he ends up pulling a hamstring or something like that,” Tracy said.
That’s of particular importance because the Rockies, who began the night with a two-game lead over the Giants in the NL wild-card race, play 17 of their next 20 games at home.
Nothing has been going around the Rockies’ clubhouse, and Tulowitzki was kept away in case he was contagious.
Clint Barmes moved over from second base to play shortstop Friday night, Ian Stewart moved from third base to second and Garrett Atkins played third base and was inserted into the cleanup spot despite his .226 average and eight home runs.
