Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland figures to be out of action for at least a month after suffering a shoulder strain. But given how serious the injury appeared to be when Freeland exited Tuesday¡¯s start against the A¡¯s, that news is perceived as positive.

An MRI confirmed the strain but did not reveal a more severe issue.

¡°We were worried about the significance of it,¡± manager Bud Black told reporters on Thursday. ¡°But the findings showed that, based on the degree of the strain, it looks pretty promising for Kyle here moving forward.¡±

Black could not give a specific timetable but indicated that the Rockies hope it will be possible to have Freeland back in action in May.

¡°He¡¯s probably out of action at least a month,¡± Black said. ¡°But within that month period, I would assume there will be some activity as far as throwing, paying catch and gaining strength back. Overall, it was good news.¡±

In the third inning of Tuesday¡¯s start, Freeland spiked a pitch to Mark Canha, then reached with his right hand to grab the bottom of his left shoulder. It was an unsettling sight.

¡°When you see a pitcher buckle over and grab his arm, man, that hits you right in the stomach,¡± Black said. ¡°You feel sick. That¡¯s how I felt, and that¡¯s how all of us felt. Any time you see that type of reaction ¡­ you think worst-case scenario and hope for the best as the days go on. At this point the doctors are encouraged about where the injury occurred.¡±

Freeland, who went 2-3 with a 4.33 ERA in 13 starts last season, was penciled into the Rockies¡¯ No. 2 starting slot. Chi Chi Gonz¨¢lez, Dereck Rodr¨ªguez and No. 2 prospect Ryan Rolison are vying to fill the vacancy in Freeland¡¯s absence, though with an early off-day, the Rockies have the option of going with a four-man rotation the first time through.

Black said Freeland was able to exhale after the diagnosis.

¡°He¡¯s ready to start rehabbing right away,¡± Black said. ¡°We have treatment today, some light stretching. He¡¯s moving it around. He had an ice pack on his shoulder. We¡¯ve just got to let the injury quiet down and then, from there, you can pick up the strengthening and the therapy.¡±