Rockies Troy Tulowitzki Shoulder Strain Brings Sigh of Relief

For Troy Tulowitzki, his presence represents more than just that of a starting shortstop. “Tulo” is Colorado. As the face of a franchise, his bat in the lineup and glove in the field represents the present and future of the Rockies’ franchise.

Hearing the result of an awkward slide at home plate on Sunday was just day to day with a shoulder strain was surely a relief for the star and his team.

Tulowitzki is no stranger to extended injuries. The 28 year old is in the prime of his career, but played just 47 games in 2012, 143 in 2011 and 122 in 2010. He has exceeded 150 games in a season just twice and has earned the “injury prone” label throughout the first half of his career, starting with multiple injuries causing him to play in just 101 games in 2008.

For a small market team like the Rockies, Tulo’s long-term health is top priority. Colorado enters 2013 ranked 25th overall in payroll, sitting at a total just north of $70 million. They currently have Tulowitski signed to a seven year, $134 million dollar deal with a contract running through 2020. It is imperative he remain on the field.

The Rockies are off to a hot start in 2013 and their best player should be out a minimal amount of time, a huge relief for the team. While Tulowitzki was held out of the lineup on Monday, he is due back either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Colorado has cooled off recently, so losing a middle-of-the-lineup bat would have been especially poor timing. Currently, the Rockies sit in a tie with Arizona for first place, posting a 15-10 record. However, the Rockies have lost two in a row and six of 10. The team has been built on an overachieving offense, sporting 127 runs, good for tops in the National League.

A large part of that has been assisted by Tulowitzki, who has a .308/.394/.603 slash line to start the year and six home runs and 22 RBI.

It appears the Rockies won’t have to wait long to have that production back in its lineup.