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Rockies report: Helton healing

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 6, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.

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He said it

"It's always valuable to be able to put your hands on somebody and see them pitch in a major league venue, albeit it was just one hitter. He is a guy we will want to revisit in the future."

Clint Hurdle, Rockies manager, on right-hander Steven Register, who, after two days in the big leagues, including striking out the only batter he faced, was returned to Triple-A Colorado Springs to open a roster spot for left-hander Jeff Francis.

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First baseman Todd Helton received a third epidural to try and ease inflammation in his lower back, and the feeling is that this time, the spot was found.

Helton said he felt some relief from the back strain that has had him on the disabled list since July 4.

Early last week, Helton had shown enough progress that he started to swing a bat, but after two days of hitting, he developed muscle spasms.

Helton will take several days to allow the epidural to take full effect and then resume his workouts. There is no timetable for his return.

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Clint Barmes was scheduled to start at third base Wednesday. He also has started at second, short and right field this season, and he has played center field in his big-league career.

"I don't think there is any position he can't play, except for maybe catcher, but with his athleticism, he could be the guy in an emergency back there," Hurdle said. "He is the best fit on our club (in a super utility role)."

Tracy Ringolsby

ETC.

Right fielder Brad Hawpe leads the Rockies in go-ahead RBI, with 16, one more than Matt Holliday. Hawpe has 258 RBI since the start of the 2006 season, most among National League right fielders. Jeff Francoeur is second, with 257. Xavier Nady, traded last week from the Pirates to the Yankees, had 192, and Austin Kearns of Washington is fourth, with 188. . . . The Rockies' 8-2 victory Tuesday, in which they rallied for six runs in the bottom of the eighth, was their 11th final- at-bat victory this season. It was only their seventh win in 56 games in which they trailed after six innings. . . . Left-hander Christian Friedrich, the Rockies' first- round selection in June, rebounded from a struggle in his previous start to earn the win in short- season Tri-City's 15-2 victory against Spokane on Wednesday. Friedrich allowed one run and four hits in 52/3 innings. Outfielder Charles Blackmon, the Rockies' second-round selection, is hitting .350 for the Dust Devils. . . . Right-hander Cory Riordan of Low-A Asheville suffered his first loss in six starts in a 4-2 loss to Columbus on Wednesday. He allowed three runs, one earned, in six innings. . . . Holliday's .373 career batting average against the Nationals is fourth all time, behind Sean Casey (.398), Todd Helton (.394) and Greg Colbrunn (.373). . . . Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .436 in 55 at- bats since coming off the disabled list July 21.

Comments

  • August 7, 2008

    8:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dgocoman writes:

    Helton has been great for many years, but really at this point what difference does it make if he comes back? I wouldn't use him as more than a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement. I think this is the Rockies biggest offseason decision to make as his salary possibly impacts keeping Holliday, Atkins, and trying to sign a decent pitcher.

  • August 7, 2008

    3:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    I have a differing opinion on Helton. To begin with, this franchise owes him so much. He's the greatest Rockies player ever. Hands down. He's our greatest hitter & by far our greatest defender. That being said, if he can come back healthy, we have to play him...he's that good. And don't go judging him by this season. He's been hurt. It's not like you are going to see Heidi Klum in the morning with no make up...or whatever & say she's a dog. No, you know it's a matter of time before she's the beauty you come to expect. Same thing with H. Don't judge him until he's healthy. Over the last 10 years, Helton leads all (that means everybody) 1st baseman in games played & fielding percentage. He's probably #1 in hitting as well (I'd bet Pujols & maybe F. Thomas-DH are close). There is no real argument for keeping a healthy Helton out of the line up. What does he not give you? HRs? Coors Field is not a home run park anymore (it's too big), it's doubles park now. And well, Helton may be the the best doubles hitter in the last 10 years also. He owns the MLB record for consecutive seasons to start a career with at least 30 doubles. And he broke that a couple years ago.