An MRI of Troy Tulowitzki’s right side Thursday night revealed a broken rib, the Rockies shortstop told The Denver Post. Tulowitzki is facing a lengthy absence in what would be a devastating blow to a team that has exceeded expectations this year.

“I’m just really upset. I worked so hard (to get back),” Tulowitzki said in a text to The Post. “I’m in a lot of pain right now; I’m not sure how long (I’ll be out).

“It’s just an unfortunate thing that happened. I will be back and be even better.”

Tulowitzki exited during the eighth inning of Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals at Coors Field after a diving stop of a groundball, completing a dizzying parade of injuries for the Rockies. Tulo confirmed he broke his rib on the diving stop. He said it had been sore, but when he got up, “I wanted to stay in the game, but I knew something was wrong.”

Carlos Gonzalez (bruised left foot) and Dexter Fowler (swollen knuckle on right ring finger) also left the game because of injuries. Gonzalez told The Post that “he was fine, just sore,” and Fowler doesn’t believe he will miss much time.

The concern in the Rockies’ clubhouse centered on Tulowitzki, who ranks in the top five in the National League in batting (.347 average), on-base percentage (.413), home runs (16) and RBIs (51) and has been nearly flawless in the field.

Josh Rutledge is expected to be called up from the minor leagues to take over for Tulowitzki. Rutledge, who began the season as the team’s starting second baseman, was told in spring training he would play shortstop if Tulo missed an extended period of time.

Tulowitzki was having difficulty breathing after his injury in the eighth inning. The two-time all-star shortstop has been dealing with soreness in the rib area for a few days, but it wasn’t serious enough to prevent him from playing. Because of the torque involved to swing a bat, a rib injury could take several weeks to heal before a player is able to play again. Tulowitzki clearly was worried before heading to a hospital, leaving teammates bracing for the worst.

“The ribs have been a lingering problem for him. When he came off the field, it was very evident he was done,” said Rockies manager Walt Weiss, who admitted his concern about a potential extended absence even before the MRI results were known.

This has been a rebound season for Tulowitzki, who missed the final four months of the 2012 season because of a groin injury that required surgery to remove scar tissue irritating a nerve. He has played in 61 of the team’s 67 games this year, his leg cooperating, save for soreness that required rest the first week of May. Aside from anchoring the lineup, the two-time Gold Glove winner has committed only one error in 271 chances.

Tulowitzki has been dealing with injury issues since 2008, when his season was interrupted by two stints on the disabled list — the first for a strained left quadriceps, the second for a laceration on his right hand when he shattered his bat.

The loss of Tulo is a huge blow for a team coming off a 98-loss season but now in the thick of the National League West race.

“I am going to pray that all these guys are all right. I don’t want to be in the same hole we were in last year because of hurt players,” Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario said after the game. “Nobody wants to go through that.”

The box score Thursday reflected the absurdity of the injuries. Pitcher Jhoulys Chacin pinch hit, Jordan Pacheco played left field for the first time in his career and Yorvit Torrealba manned first base. Multiple roster moves are possible to cover for the injuries. In addition to adding Rutledge, an outfielder such as Charlie Blackmon might be summoned to provide protection if Gonzalez and Fowler are unavailable Friday.

The other candidates to fill in at shortstop are DJ LeMahieu and Jonathan Herrera.

The parade of ailments began with an accident as Pacheco smoked a first-inning line drive that nailed Gonzalez in the left foot. He was removed before hitting, diagnosed with a bruise after X-rays were negative.

“The game seemed doomed from the start,” said first baseman Todd Helton.

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck

Fallen Rockies

It was a devastating Thursday afternoon for the Rockies, with three key players suffering injuries in a loss to Washington. A closer look:

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a broken rib diving for a groundball during the eighth inning. He will go on the disabled list and be gone for an extended period of time.

Left fielder Carlos Gonzalez was struck in the left foot by a foul ball while standing near the on-deck circle during the first inning. He left the game. X-rays of the foot were negative, and he’s listed as day to day.

Center fielder Dexter Fowler was hit by a pitch on the knuckle of the ring finger of his right hand in the third inning. He left the game. He was unable to grip a bat, but X-rays were negative. He’s listed as day to day.

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post

LOOKING AHEAD: PHILADELPHIA AT COLORADO

Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick (6-4, 3.22 ERA) vs. Rockies’ Juan Nicasio (4-2, 4.61),

6:40 p.m. Friday, ROOT, 850 AM

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said there’s been no discussion of moving Juan Nicasio to the bullpen to help cover for the loss of Edgmer Escalona. The Rockies have options with their rotation. Roy Oswalt nears a call-up, while Jeff Francis pitched well enough Thursday against the Nationals to remain in the conversation for another start. Nicasio has shown progress, his fastball command improving. He has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his past five starts. He finished with a season-high seven strikeouts in his most recent outing. Nicasio has never pitched against the Phillies, but National League East opponents have ravaged him (8.17 ERA). Todd Helton, who will start Friday, has a .467 on-base percentage against the Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post

Upcoming Pitching Matchups

Saturday: Phillies’ Jonathan Pettibone (3-2, 3.70 ERA) at Rockies’ Tyler Chatwood (3-1, 2.14), 2:10 p.m., ROOT

Sunday: Phillies’ Cole Hamels (2-9, 4.45) at Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (4-3, 4.52), 2:10 p.m., ROOT

Monday: Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (7-4, 3.49) at Blue Jays’ Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 6.14), 5:07 p.m., ROOT