Cuddyer starts at first base night after injury

SAN DIEGO -- Despite leaving Monday night's 5-4 loss to the Padres with a contusion and severe swelling in his right elbow after trying to make a play against the right-field fence, Michael Cuddyer was back in the Rockies' lineup Tuesday.

Manager Walt Weiss played Cuddyer at first base, and Justin Morneau rested against Padres lefty Robbie Erlin. Brandon Barnes took Cuddyer's usual place in right field. Additionally, Drew Stubbs started in center field instead of Charlie Blackmon in a lineup with left fielder Carlos Gonzalez as the only left-handed hitter.

"I figured he'd be down for a day or two, but true to form, 'Cuddy' came in and tried to talk his way into the lineup," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "Cuddy came out, took five swings and put three of them in the seats. I said, 'You're hired.'"