A year ago, Todd Helton was confined to a hospital bed, the victim of an intestinal ailment that dropped his weight from a robust 212 pounds to 197, putting his season into a dark hole from which it never fully recovered.
Before Saturday night’s game against the Padres, Helton, playing this season at nearly 230 pounds, admitted the illness had lasting ramifications.
“It changed me in a lot of personal ways, but nothing I want printed in the newspaper,” Helton said. “It did show me how much I love this game, how privileged I am to do this for a living. I’ve always known that, but that was a reminder.”
Helton entered Saturday’s game with a .316 average, one home run, an on-base percentage of .435 and nine RBIs. When the illness struck last year, his numbers were similar – .347 average, one homer, .529 on-base percentage and nine RBIs.
The difference this year? He’s got the strength to turn it on and get better. Last year, he stumbled well into late summer. He hit just .253 in July, well below his .320 career average for the month. Helton had to rally to finish with a .302 average, by far the lowest of his career.
Ramirez to DL
Promising right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow.
Ramirez injured his arm and earned the victory Tuesday night against the Giants. Ramirez has thrown 5 2/3 scoreless innings over seven appearances and opposing hitters have just a .158 (3-for-19) average against him. Ramirez’s stint on the DL is retroactive to Wednesday, meaning he’s eligible to return May 3.
Ramirez became the third pitcher to land on the DL in the past week. Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim, who went on the DL on Monday with a bruised right thumb, begins a 30-day rehabilitation assignment today with Triple-A Colorado Springs. Rodrigo Lopez, the team’s most effective starter, was put on the DL on Thursday with inflammation of his right elbow.
In desperate need of fresh arms, the Rockies called up Ryan Speier (0-0, 6.75 ERA) and 24-year-old Bobby Keppel (0-1, 4.22) from Triple-A Colorado Springs. To make room, the club designated Matt Herges for assignment.
