Chatwood likely sidelined at least two months

DENVER -- The diagnosis of a right flexor strain and inflammation for Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood is better than the type of ligament damage that leads to surgery, but it's possible it will be six to eight weeks before he is throwing again. After that, he'll have to rebuild his arm to game readiness.

It means he'll be out for at least two months, but the Rockies didn't put a timetable on his return.

"That's a guesstimate -- we'll take little goals every two weeks and see how he's progressing," Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said. "But he feels pretty good right now, to be honest with you."

This is the second trip to the disabled list this season for Chatwood (1-0, 4.50 ERA in four starts). He missed the first two starts with a mild left hamstring injury. Chatwood pitched competitively when healthy -- a .236 batting average against and 20 strikeouts to eight walks.

In other injury news, a return date is still unknown for outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who injured his left hamstring on April 17. Cuddyer, who won the National League batting title last season, can't progress in his rehab until he is able to run, and that has not happened.