Atlanta – Just 10 days ago, Rockies star first baseman Todd Helton was lying in a hospital bed with severe abdominal pain, facing grave worries about his health and his baseball future.
Tuesday night, Helton is scheduled to play five innings in Colorado Springs for the Sky Sox in a Triple-A game against Tacoma. He is scheduled to play seven innings on Wednesday and is eligible to come off the disabled list and rejoin the Rockies Friday. There is a chance he could be in their lineup Friday night when they host Houston.
“He’s ready to rock n’ roll,” trainer Keith Dugger said today. “As soon as he hit one ball off the tee in a cage, he said, ‘I’m ready.’^”
Helton was diagnosed with acute terminal ileitis, a painful inflammation of the small intestine, and spent three nights in a hospital before being sent home last Monday. He’s been working out and swinging the bat eager to return.
“It’s a really good sign and we’re encouraged,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We’ll start him off slow and evaluate. A lot of ground has covered. He’s been able to get out and get active and respond well, and his stamina seems to be OK.”
