Fowler still struggling to swing bat, sits Saturday

DENVER -- Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler is still struggling to swing a bat after bruising his right knuckle when a pitch struck his hand on Thursday.

The injury kept Fowler out of the lineup for the second straight game Saturday, but manager Walt Weiss said he is making progress.

"Closer than he was yesterday, but he still can't swing the bat," Weiss said.

Fowler was on a tear through the first half of June, hitting .381 and slugging .643 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Fowler did appear in Friday night's loss to the Phillies as a pinch-runner.

Tyler Colvin made his second consecutive start in center field, and shortstop Josh Rutledge has taken Fowler's usual spot at the top of the order. Colvin made his rpesence felt, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning.