Rockies manager: Tulo, Gonzalez going to return 'sooner than I probably thought'

The Colorado Rockies' two biggest offensive weapons are making encouraging progress during their spring rehab. 

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki both spent Monday taking part in running drills for the first time this spring with positive results. 

"Oh, I'm ready right now," Gonzalez told Nick Groke of the Denver Post. "We ran real well."

Gonzalez was limited to 70 games last season following knee surgery, while Tulowitzki missed 71 games as the result of surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. 

Groke noted that the pair have been hitting and fielding for the past two weeks, but running drills were the next step in their recovery.  

Both players aren't expected to play for another two weeks, though manager Walt Weiss believes the two are ahead of where he thought they'd be and are expected to be ready for Opening Day. 

"We have a general feeling when they might be back, but not specific dates," Weiss said. "Put it this way: It's going to happen sooner than I probably thought this winter."

Tulowitzki, who's set to earn $20 million this season, slashed .340/.432/.603 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 91 games in 2014. Gonzalez is coming off a campaign in which he hit a disappointing .238/.292/.431 with 11 home runs. He's set to earn $16 million.