Philadelphia – Relief replaced anxiety as teammates learned Tuesday that Rockies first baseman Todd Helton could be returning to the lineup soon after spending four days in the hospital with a stomach ailment.
Helton was diagnosed with acute ileitis, an inflammation of the small intestine, a condition that has responded to treatment the past few days. If Helton progresses at his current rate, he could rejoin the team in Miami this weekend to begin baseball activities.
“It’s a sigh of relief,” Rockies starter Jason Jennings said. “For a while there it really looked like it was going to be serious. To know he’s going to be back is great.”
The news ended four nerve-wracking days. Helton is the face of the organization, its most decorated player, a five-time all-star who is considered the unofficial captain. The thought of Helton missing several months was not a concern as much as his health.
“He has a wife, a little girl. This was about his future, something bigger than baseball,” outfielder Matt Holliday said. “It’s just good to hear that he’s doing better. Knowing Todd, I guarantee he will be back before you know it.”
Helton could be back as soon as May 5, when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list, depending on how quickly he regains his strength. If there are no setbacks, he would have a short rehab assignment, likely in Triple-A Colorado Springs, to regain his timing at the plate.
“Any lineup without Helton in it is not as good,” San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou said. “He’s a great player and one of the real gentlemen. You want him to be out there because of what he means to the game.”
Day’s grievance expected
With the Rockies and Zach Day differing over the condition of the right-hander’s shoulder, the club expects the pitcher to file a grievance if he is not claimed on waivers today.
Day was designated for assignment Friday, two days after complaining of shoulder tightness following his last start. The Rockies believed he could still pitch, so they designated him rather than place him on the disabled list. Day’s shoulder was examined by Cincinnati Reds doctor Tim Kremchek on Monday, and Kremchek recommended “that (Day) be shut down for at least a couple of weeks as he builds strength back up in his shoulder.”
Day, still in his arbitration years, could file a grievance to regain service time.
Footnotes
Holliday finally walked for the first time this season, in his 82nd plate appearance. … Rockies reliever Ray King has enjoyed the banter with raucous Phillies fans above the Rockies’ bullpen in center field. “All you have to do is get a few good lines off that make people laugh and they leave you alone. One guy yelled, ‘Hey, King, what’s in your (big) belly?’ And I said, ‘It’s my wallet.”‘ … Closer Brian Fuentes was available to pitch, and did, his back spasms no longer an issue.
