Rockies want Julian Tavarez?

While they wait for internal options to heal their wounds and fix their mechanics, the Rockies are actively pursuing depth for their rotation, discussing trades with the Reds for Josh Fogg and the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez.

The Rockies also have kicked the tires on Oakland's Rich Harden and Joe Blanton and Texas' Kevin Millwood. Harden is hurt, limiting interest; Blanton is currently not available. And while the Rangers will listen on Millwood, they want the right players in return, not salary relief.

The Rockies' motivation is shaped by their need. Colorado is searching for a pitcher to stabilize its rotation until Franklin Morales, Greg Reynolds and the injured Jason Hirsh are ready to contribute sometime next month.

"It's early in the year, and there a lot of clubs sorting through issues, and when they get through them that's about the same time that Hirsh, Morales and Reynolds should be ready to help us. So I am trying to find one guy for six or seven starts," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said.

Fogg, rotting in the Reds' bullpen with approximately $1.2 million left on his deal, represents an ideal candidate. He won 10 games for the Rockies last season and is so well-liked that one teammate predicted he would receive a standing ovation if he walked back into the clubhouse.

But there is a bit of poker involved. The Reds could face a roster decision soon if they bring up prized pitcher Homer Bailey, so Colorado is reluctant to give up much if Fogg is going to be cut.

Like Fogg, Tavarez is a former Rockie. Colorado has discussed acquiring him on multiple occasions over the past three seasons.

After working on his delivery in extended spring training, Morales will make his first Triple-A start Sunday. Asked about a timetable for the left-hander's return, O'Dowd said, "We will let him decide" based on performance.

Reynolds has shown progress for the Sky Sox. The Rockies, however, want him to build up arm strength.

Hirsh, out with a shoulder injury, will throw another bullpen session this week as he inches toward a rehab assignment.

SS Troy Tulowitzki out till All-Star Break

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. "We're hoping it's a couple months, but we won't know until they do further medical tests."


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 Tuesday night, and he underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday, which found a complete tear of the tendon near his hip.

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 season-long slump, Tulowitzki wasn't scheduled to play Tuesday night 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.

Following his sensational rookie season, Tulowitzki signed a $31 million, six-year deal, the largest contract ever signed by a non-Japanese or Cuban player with fewer than two years' of major league service.

The Rockies' first NL pennant was fueled by the 23-year-old star's phenomenal performance in the field, at the plate and in the clubhouse. Tulowitzki became a respected leader among established veterans including Todd Helton and Matt Holliday despite having played barely a year in the minor leagues.

He led big league shortstops in fielding percentage, got to many more balls than anyone at his position and even turned an unassisted triple play, just the 13th in major league history. He also set an NL rookie record for home runs by a shortstop (24) and batted .291 with 99 RBIs as the Rockies surged to their first World Series.

The crowds at Coors Field began a rhythmic chant for Tulowitzki, and Colorado set a big league record for fielding percentage.

His October exposure, however, created a thick book on Tulowitzki, and he had a hard time in April adjusting to pitchers armed with new scouting reports who busted him high and inside with fastballs before getting him to chase pitches down and away.

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

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