TULO FEELING BETTER
Denver—(AP)Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki says his broken rib is healing and he hopes to return in time to help his team make a run at an NL West title. Tulowitzki says he has begun some light throwing and the injury feels more like a “bruise” after two weeks on the disabled list. He was injured diving for a ball against Washington on June 13 and is projected to miss four to six weeks. Tulowitzki was enjoying perhaps his best season before the injury, hitting .347 with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs. He currently leads NL shortstops in All-Star voting even though he will almost certainly miss the game at Citi Field in New York. It is the second straight season he has missed significant time due to injury. Tulowitzki played just 47 games in 2012 because of a groin injury that required surgery.
INFIELDER COMING BACK TO ROCKIES AFTER QUICK STINT WITH YANKS
DENVER (AP) – The Colorado Rockies are bringing Reid Brignac back to the organization, signing the infielder to a minor league deal. Brignac will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs, the team said on Thursday. Colorado picked up Brignac from the Tampa Bay Rays in February, only to designate him for assignment last month after he hit .250 in limited action. A few days later, the New York Yankees acquired Brignac from the Rockies for cash. He was cut by New York last week to make room for infielder Alberto Gonzalez. While with the Yankees, Brignac hit .114 in 44 plate appearances.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS…
LONDON (AP) – There were no surprises on the fourth day of play at Wimbledon. Five-time champion Serena Williams advanced to the third round as did men’s top seed Novak Djokovic (NOH’-vak JOH’-kuh-vich). With the departure of three more Americans on Day 4, there are now no American men left in the tournament.
NEW YORK (AP) – The NBA draft is tonight in New York City. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the first pick and so far they have not disclosed what their plans might be. Orlando has the second pick, followed by Washington, Charlotte and Phoenix.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Larry Bird is back as president of the Indiana Pacers. After taking a year off for various reasons, Bird says he is rejuvenated and ready for the challenge of running the team again.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Tampa Bay Lightning are buying out the contract of veteran center Vincent Lecavalier (lah-KAV’-ul-yay). He was the top pick in the 1998 NHL draft and helped Tampa Bay to the NHL title in 2004.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) – The women’s U.S. Open is being contested this week in Southampton, N.Y. The early first-round leader is South Korea’s Inbee Park, who opened with a 5-under 67. She won the first two majors of the year, the Kraft Nabisco and the LPGA Championship.
