One half of the Rockies’ future double-play combination was in play Wednesday night.
Rookie Josh Rutledge, who has been thriving at shortstop, started at second base for just the second time this season. When Troy Tulowitzki returns from his groin surgery, he’ll return to short, where he’s won two Gold Gloves. Rutledge will move over to second base.
“It’s definitely fun to think about, and hopefully it happens sooner rather than later,” said Rutledge, who has spent a lot of time before games practicing double plays with Tulowitzki. “I think it could be really good. It feels really good so far, working together, so I’m excited.”
Tulowitzki, meanwhile, said he’s still not quite ready. He could return next week, but he’s playing it safe.
“I’m still not feeling 100 percent, and I don’t think myself or anybody else in this organization feels it’s the best decision for me to go out there right now and not play at 100 percent,” said Tulowitzki, who has missed 93 games.
While a series of minor-league rehab games helped build his confidence, he said it’s not the same as playing at the big-league level.
“I know that I’m going to be all right,” he said. “But you can play at your pace in those (rehab) games. At the big-league level, the games speed up and you are forced to do things. I don’t want to get caught off-guard by a situation.”
Footnotes. Catcher Ramon Hernandez underwent a second MRI on his strained left hamstring and the club is still awaiting the results. … Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa could make a minor-league start Saturday for Modesto (Calif.) or Asheville (N.C.), depending on whether or not those teams are still alive in the playoffs.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Upcoming Pitching Matchups
Thursday: Off
Friday: Rockies’ Tyler Chatwood (4-4, 5.32 ERA) at Padres’ Andrew Cashner (3-3, 3.46), 8:05 p.m., ROOT
Saturday: Rockies’ Drew Pomeranz (1-8, 4.80) at Padres’ Casey Kelly (1-1, 7.07), 6:35 p.m., ROOT
Sunday: Rockies’ Alex White (2-8, 5.18) at Padres’ Andrew Werner (2-1, 2.59), 2:05 p.m., ROOT
