NL | Colorado Rockies' Tulowitzki could be out till midseason

Colorado Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki tore a tendon in his left quadriceps and could be out until the All-Star break, if not longer.

"Best-case scenario is six weeks. The realistic one is a few months," agent Paul Cohen told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Cohen said team doctors will have a better feel for a timeline next week after "massive swelling and bleeding" subside. "It's a non-surgical tear, which could be a good thing."

Tulowitzki, the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year last season, was injured while charging a grounder in the first inning at San Francisco on Tuesday. He underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday, which found a complete tear of the tendon near his hip, team athletic trainer Keith Dugger said.

The injury is rare in baseball but is not uncommon in soccer players.

"He's just so disappointed for his teammates and the fans," Cohen said. "He just can't believe it, really. It's still sinking in."

Fighting through a seasonlong slump, Tulowitzki wasn't scheduled to play Tuesday but was a late addition after second baseman Jeff Baker broke a blood vessel in the middle finger of his right hand during batting practice.

He was hitting just .152 with one homer and 11 runs batted in in 105 at-bats when he got hurt.

Clint Barmes, the Rockies' starting shortstop in 2005 and '06, will fill in until Tulowitzki returns.

Chicago: LF Alfonso Soriano (strained calf) was activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room, the Cubs optioned OF Matt Murton to Class AAA Iowa.

Florida: RHP Matt Lindstrom, who left Wednesday's game with a stiff back, underwent an MRI that was negative. "Hopefully, I'll be better by [today]," he said.

Houston: The Astros planned to activate 3B Ty Wigginton (fractured thumb) from the 15-day DL today. To make room, RHP Jack Cassel will be optioned to AAA Round Rock.

Los Angeles: RHP Jonathan Broxton (side) will throw a bullpen session today. If it goes well, he may be available for tonight's game at Colorado, manager Joe Torre said. ... RHP Jason Schmidt may start a rehab assignment after throwing a bullpen session today.

Milwaukee: Ryan Braun's homer ended a career-high 78 at-bats without a long ball.

Philadelphia: The Phillies won on the 125th anniversary of the first game in franchise history. They lost to the Providence Grays, 4-3, on May 1, 1883.

Pittsburgh: Manager John Russell remains confident that LHP Tom Gorzelanny will not miss a start. Gorzelanny left Wednesday's game after his back tightened up. "There's nothing with the spine, nothing with nerves, there's nothing going down his leg," Russell said. "It's just a tight back, that's all. We just have to watch it." ... RHP Olivo Astacio (Class A Lynchburg) was released from the 40-man roster for what the team called "a significant violation of organization policy."

San Diego: LHP Randy Wolf is 17-7 in May during his 10-year career.

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