Todd Helton will join the Rockies on their upcoming road trip, but it is unlikely he will be activated off the disabled list Monday. His back and legs are feeling better, but he admitted that returning too soon would be counterproductive.
“It would be one thing if I was raking before I went on the DL. But I was scuffling,” Helton told The Denver Post. “I hope to be back on Monday, but only if I can help the team. I am not helping the team if I am 70 percent, struggle and go right back on the DL.”
Helton, who is hitting .246 with two home runs and 16 RBIs, received an epidural injection last weekend to relieve the pain in his back. He said the all-star break and a relaxing family vacation left him refreshed. But the reality is that he turns 37 next month and is a year removed from back surgery.
Before returning, he likely would require a rehabilitation assignment. As it stands, Helton will be with the team in Florida beginning on Monday, meaning a few rehab at-bats would follow after that, pushing back his return date.
“It’s really up in the air. I don’t know what their plans are right now,” Helton said. “I just need to focus on getting my body right.”
Helton’s back and hamstring became a concern on June 28 in San Diego. He told trainer Keith Dugger he had no strength after taking batting practice. He has started only once since that game. He wasn’t even available as a defensive replacement on most nights, leading to the decision to place him on the disabled list and call up Brad Eldred from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Now, the margin for error has shrunk. The Rockies sit two games behind the Padres in the National League West.
“Everything is on the line. That’s why I want to be out there,” Helton said. “But that’s also why I know I have to be healthy. I know I can help in the field. Will I hit? I hope so. I believe I can.”
Helton’s uncertain future is why the Rockies have held conversations with Florida about infielders Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu. Whether the Rockies will trade for a corner infielder — both Uggla and Cantu could play there — will depend on how third baseman Ian Stewart and the battery of first basemen (Jason Giambi, Eldred, Melvin Mora, Brad Hawpe, Chris Iannetta) perform.
“Todd is a big part of what we have done. It’s been hard for him for this season,” all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “We all have the utmost respect for what he’s done and hope he can come back.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
