Rockies report: Helton to see specialist, surgery possible

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 19, 2008 at 6:44 p.m.

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He Said It

"One thing that might help is the World Baseball Classic is back in play (next spring). We have some pitchers of interest to their native countries. That could help sharpen their game approach earlier rather than later."

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle on the WBC possibilities for pitchers Jorge De La Rosa (Mexico), Ubaldo Jimenez (Dominican Republic), Jeff Francis (Canada), Manuel Corpas (Panama), and Luis Vizcaino (Dominican Republic).

Numbers Game

10 pitchers who worked in the Rockies 1-0 victory against the Padres on Wednesday was the most to appear in a 1-0 game in major league history, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Both starting pitchers went five innings, and each team used four relievers.

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First baseman Todd Helton, sidelined since July 3 because of lower back problems, will fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday to be examined by Dr. Robert Watkins, a back specialist, the Rocky has learned. Surgery is a possibility to alleviate the problems created by the ruptured disk.

Helton came off the disabled list a week ago, and has pinch hit twice, but for the third time in his rehab he has had the problem flare up, prompting the decision to send him to Watkins, who has looked at Helton's medical records but has not seen him in person.

The feeling is the surgery would only be minimally invasive and if done before too long Helton would have ample time to rehab and be ready for the start of next season.

TORREALBA REHABBING

Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, coming back from surgery earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, has been given the clearance to start running.

Torrealba said he would like to come back and play next weekend, the final weekend of the season, but the key for him in testing his knee will come this winter.

Torrealba plans to play on a limited basis in his native Venezuela. He is on the roster of Margarita, but there has been talk he will be traded to Caracas. Torrealba said he would like to play for a month, but won’t start prior to Nov. 15, and expects to split time between catching and first base.

“So far I have done every exercise they have given me without pain,” Torrealba said. “I feel very good.

The Rockies have been hesitant to have Torrealba catch much in the winter because they didn’t want him to be worn out during the regular season. With Chris Iannetta having assumed the starting job for the Rockies, having Torrealba test his knee during the winter would be a positive and help keep Torrealba in game shape.

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