According to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies received an encouraging sign from injured righty SP Jeremy Guthrie on Thursday. Renck reports the recent acquisition made another step towards a healthy return to the rotation:

#Rockies' Jeremy Guthrie playing catch today is a good sign. If he throws a side session, he will start Tuesday in San Diego

— Troy Renck, Rockies (@TroyRenck) May 3, 2012

Guthrie has started four games in the 2012 MLB season, but has struggled thus far to find his rhythm.

The Rockies traded for Guthrie in the transaction that sent SP Jason Hammel and RP Matt Lindstrom to the Baltimore Orioles. He has pitched over 175 innings for five straight seasons, crossing beyond 200 IP in the past four, but in 2012 he has 10 walks to only 5 strikeouts with 4 home runs allowed.

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