Troy Tulowitzki likely to go on disabled list with broken rib, according to report

Troy Tulowitzki was injured on Wednesday while diving to stop a ground ball. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki could be facing a "lengthy absence" after an MRI revealed a broken rib on his right side, The Denver Post's Troy Renck reported.

Citing two major league sources, Renck reported that Tulowitzki was likely to face time on the disabled list. Tulowitzki left Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals after making a diving stop on a ground ball from Ian Desmond.

A lengthy absence for Tulowitzki would be a significant blow for the Rockies, who currently sit in third place in the National League West — 2.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tulowitzki ranks in the top five in the NL in batting average (a .347 average), on-base percentage (.413), home runs (16) and RBI (51).

SI WIRE: Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison not expected back until September

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said after Wednesday's game that he was worried about a possible extended stint on the DL for Tulowitzki.

"The ribs have been a lingering problem for him," Weiss said, according to The Denver Post. "When he came off the field, it was very evident he was done."