SAN FRANCISCO — His mind wants to play, but his body is not ready. If the last three years have taught Troy Tulowitzki anything, it’s that injuries require caution.
So, unable to field his position, the shortstop did not make a start Monday night because of a left groin injury.
“Obviously, if I could go, I would have been in there. I can’t tell you how frustrating this is,” said Tulowitzki, who missed 33 games earlier this season because of a broken bone in his left wrist.
Tulowitzki took batting practice Monday but did not field any groundballs. He hopes to play tonight, though the longer he talked it sounded like Wednesday was more realistic. That Tulowitzki blew out his right quad in San Francisco two years ago in similar weather conditions played into his decision as well.
“It weighed on my mind, definitely. I don’t want to do something stupid and be out for the rest of the season,” Tulowitzki said. “You never want to miss a game, especially now. But that’s better than being out for a long time.”
Clint Barmes started in place of Tulowitzki. Barmes was activated off the bereavement list and added to the roster as third baseman Ian Stewart (right rib-cage muscles) went on the disabled list.
No Stew for you.
Stewart’s injury didn’t improve as expected. He first felt pain while swinging in the batting cage Friday night. “Nothing felt right,” Stewart said after testing it Monday afternoon.
Melvin Mora, who made a start Monday and hit cleanup, and Jonathan Herrera will share playing time at third base in Stewart’s absence.
Pitching change.
Jhoulys Chacin will start Thursday against the Phillies on regular rest, leaving Aaron Cook to face the Padres on Friday. Chacin is coming off his best home start of the season and Cook is 6-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 10 games at San Diego’s Petco Park.
Footnotes.
The Rockies are trolling for a veteran reliever, either through trade or waiver claim. They signed Luis Ayala to a minor-league contract last week. . . . Carlos Gonzalez won NL player of the week honors for the second time. . . . Jeff Francis (biceps tendon) and Matt Daley (shoulder) will face hitters today at the Giants’ AT&T Park. If no setbacks, they will begin a brief rehab assignment.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
