Rockies report: Herges on rehab assignment

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 27, 2008 at 8:35 p.m.

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3 strong innings for right-hander Jason Grilli in Tuesday's 7-2 victory against the Giants, the first Rockies pitcher to work three innings and earn a save since Jose Acevedo against the Dodgers on Sept. 2, 2005.

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Right-handed pitcher Matt Herges (lower-back spasms) flew to Las Vegas on Wednesday night to join Triple-A Colorado Springs for a rehabilitation assignment. Herges is expected to be activated Tuesday, the first day he is eligible to come off the disabled list.

Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, already on a rehab assignment, could wait until Monday to be activated. By keeping him on the disabled list until Monday, the Rockies would provide themselves more roster flexibility if they make it to the postseason.

First baseman Todd Helton (lower-back stiffness), who began playing catch earlier in the week, was allowed to field groundballs hit directly at him Wednesday to test his back.

With the Rockies off today, Helton will be re-evaluated Friday afternoon, and if all is well, he will be allowed to swing off a batting tee as the next step in his rehab.

WAVERING WAIVERS

Contrary to reports, left-hander Brian Fuentes was removed from the waiver list Tuesday because the Rockies placed him on the bereavement list and a player cannot be on waivers unless he is on the active roster.

That move is a sign the Rockies did not have a possible trade for Fuentes in the works. If they were talking to a team about dealing Fuentes, they could have played a man short Tuesday and Fuentes would have cleared waivers Wednesday.

Then the Rockies could have dealt him or put him on the bereavement list.

Fuentes has to remain on the bereavement list until Friday, so he could not clear waivers until after the Sunday deadline for rosters for the postseason to be frozen.

Etc.

Stewart walked in his first three plate appearances, then singled home a run against left-hander Jack Taschner in the seventh inning, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. That's tied with San Diego outfielder Chase Headley, a graduate of Fountain-Fort Carson High, for third longest by a National League rookie this season. Jay Bruce of the Reds had streaks of 12 and 13 games. . . . Right- hander Steven Register, called up when left-hander Brian Fuentes was placed on the bereavement list, was 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 54 games with Triple-A Colorado Springs, has converted 16-of-19 save opportunities. He struck out Lastings Milledge of the Nationals on Aug. 4 in his only major league appearance. . . . Fuentes' streak of 13 consecutive save conversions is third longest in the majors behind Philadelphia's Brad Lidge, a graduate of Cherry Creek High School who has converted 31 in a row, and San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, who has converted 15 in a row. . . . Trenidad Hubbard, the Rockies' organizational baserunning and outfield instructor, is with the team in San Francisco, his first extended look at the major league club this season. . . . Veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel started 53 of the first 71 games this season but has started only five of the past 25.