Tulo begins road to return after medical procedure

CHICAGO -- Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said Monday's medical procedure, which involved needle therapy in his injured left hip flexor, was painful, but he said he'll get back to movement activities on Wednesday after resting Tuesday.

Tulowitzki was in Philadelphia with noted sports physician Dr. William C. Myers to undergo "dry needling" -- which creates blood flow that helps an injury heal faster.

All along, it's been believed Tulowitzki could return by the middle of August. For now, Tulowitzki is taking it a day at a time.

"It wasn't an easy process -- a tough day for me," Tulowitzki said in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. "But I feel all right. The plan is to get back to starting movement, see how it feels.

"Tomorrow I'll start moving around and doing some stuff. I'll be jogging and walking a little bit -- obviously, it's not baseball activity, just getting moving to see how I feel."

Tulowitzki also reiterated that he stands behind his reasons for visiting Yankee Stadium on Sunday to watch Derek Jeter and the Yankees. The fact it happened while the Rockies were playing the Pirates at home on Sunday raised eyebrows, given that there have been trade rumors (although Rockies owner Dick Monfort has given no indication he would make a deal, and Tulowitzki hasn't asked for one).

Tulowitzki had a day off before Monday's procedure in Philadelphia, was visiting family and didn't violate any rules by attending the game.

"It's over with, and I'm looking forward to getting healthy and back playing," he said.

Tulowitzki, who hasn't played since suffering the injury July 19, leads the Majors in on-base percentage at .432, and OPS -- on-base percentage plus slugging percentage -- at 1.035. He also leads the National League in batting average at .340.