Rockies report: Ailing Helton sits

By Jack Etkin and Pat Rooney

Published July 3, 2008 at 11:40 p.m.

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He Said It

"He probably plays (at) less than 100 percent for about 90 percent of the season."

Hurdle, on Helton's back condition.

Numbers Game

11 home runs by Yorvit Torrealba (four) and Chris Iannetta (seven) , the fourth-best combined home run total by catchers in the majors. The Rockies' catchers trail the Braves (14), Cubs (14), and Pirates (13).

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Todd Helton was not in the lineup for the series opener against the Marlins because of a sore back, a chronic condition the veteran first baseman has been dealing with for years.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle did not use Helton off the bench during Thursday's 6-5, 11-inning victory, and Hurdle indicated Helton's status will be re-evaluated daily.

Helton boasted a .295 batting average after the Rockies' game June 6, but a prolonged slump has dropped that mark to .266.

Jeff Baker replaced Helton. He went 1-for-4 with four RBI in his fifth start of the season at first.

BARMES IS BACK

Helton's setback opened the door for infielder Clint Barmes to work his way out of the slump that has dogged him since his return from the disabled list June 23. Barmes, who started at second base and batted second for the first time since his return from a sprained knee, entered the game with two hits in 17 at-bats, but he ended a hitless stretch of 12 at-bats with a double in the third inning.

Barmes, who went 2-for-4 with a walk, started five of six games during last week's trip but did not start during the three-game series against San Diego earlier this week.

Etc.

Center fielder Willy Taveras missed his second consecutive game because of a strained left quadriceps. Taveras ran lightly Thursday and hopes to intensify his running workouts today. . . . Yorvit Torrealba went 0-for-4, ending his season-best eight-game hitting streak. . . . Outfielder Dexter Fowler of Double-A Tulsa was named the organization's player of the month for June after hitting .373. Left-hander Keith Weiser of Single-A Modesto won the organization's pitcher of the month honor after going 2-1 with a 2.23 ERA. . . . Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley, a special assistant with the Rockies last year, received his 2007 National League championship ring from Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd. . . . Left-hander Christian Friedrich, the Rockies' first-round pick in last month's draft, tentatively is scheduled to make his professional debut Wednesday for short-season Tri-City. . . . Modesto shortstop Hector Gomez underwent Tommy John surgery Monday and is expected to be sidelined six to eight months. . . . Outfielder Dustan Mohr was released by Triple-A Colorado Springs after hitting .149 (7-for- 47) in 19 games.