While star first baseman Todd Helton was getting a quick fix for his injured right elbow Monday, the Rockies continued playing a waiting game with free-agent shortstop Royce Clayton.
Helton, who was injured during an offseason workout at Coors Field last week, underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body from his right (non-throwing) elbow, according to the team. Helton is expected be 100 percent by the time the Rockies report for spring training Feb. 17.
“Todd felt some minor soreness in his elbow,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “At first, we were going to give him a cortisone shot, but Dr. (Thomas) Noonan decided the surgery would be the best thing. If this was the regular season, he’d be back in two weeks.”
Helton injured his back before last season and admitted to The Denver Post recently that he played in pain all of last season.
Clayton, meanwhile, made it clear that while he appreciates the Rockies’ overtures, he isn’t ready to give up his quest to be an everyday player.
The Rockies envision Clayton, 36, as an utility man.
“Everyone knows how highly I think of Colorado, but at this point I want to see if I can go somewhere and compete for a starting job,” Clayton said.
“If I’m a utility guy, let baseball be the judge. But I don’t believe that yet.”
Footnotes
The Rockies have offered reliever Jim Brower a minor- league deal. There are four teams interested in Brower, including one offering guaranteed money. …
Dan “Chico” McGinn, the Rockies’ former equipment manager, will serve as the clubhouse manager for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck contributed to this report.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or at psaunders@denverpost.com.
