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| Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Throws: L
Bats: L Born: Aug 20, 1973, Knoxville, TN Contract: Signed through 2011 with club option for 2012 |
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| Profile | Player News | Articles | Split Stats | Game Log | Eligibility | Player Comparison |
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Player Notes |
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August 25, 2008 Todd Helton ran in the Colorado outfield, and he will begin to take batting practice soon, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Our View:Helton has a problematic lower back, and has had trouble with flare ups for some time, so there is nothing to get too excited about here. Helton has tried to take B.P. before and couldn't proceed because his back acted up. |
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August 23, 2008 Todd Helton, who has been out since July 3 with lower-back problems, was in uniform but was limited to playing catch Friday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Helton is encouraged by recent developments, but trainer Keith Dugger said the Rockies will be very cautious in Helton's rehab program. Twice already, Helton had been cleared to start swinging a bat, but both times, his back problem flared up. Dugger said Helton is "not even close" to swinging a bat and that, "if he can tolerate this for four or five days, we will consider the next move." Our View:There remains no timetable, but he has a chance to return at some point in September. He should remain stashed away on rosters in NL-only leagues. |
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August 19, 2008 Rockies trainer Keith Dugger was upbeat after getting back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins review of first baseman Todd Helton’s situation, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He said Watkins confirmed the problem with the L5 disk, and recommended continuation of the rehab program Dugger had in place. “The problem we have is we don’t have a time frame before us for stepping back into baseball activities,” said Dugger. “We have to move step by step. Todd felt really good (Tuesday).” Our View:Not having a timetable is no good, but it sounds like Helton is improving and they have a target on the correct problem. We doubt he returns as quickly as hoped, but he could jump back in the fray late this season. Stay tuned. |
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August 15, 2008 Todd Helton is nowhere near recovered from his strained back, according to MLB.com. Head trainer Keith Dugger said Helton progresses as long as the team keeps him on light activity. That means no swinging the bat. Our View:We're not sure, but Helton will probably have to be able to swing the bat before he's able to return. At this point, you have to consider the possibility that he may not come back at all this year. |
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August 10, 2008 Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL after continuing to experience back problems, according to MLB.com. Our View:Helton is having disc problems in his back, and the chances of him returning this season are slim. In fact, the condition in his back has been deemed degenerative, so his timetable for return is completely up in the air. |
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August 5, 2008 Following yesterday's MRI exam, doctors now believe Colorado first baseman Todd Helton is suffering from a degenerative back condition, harbored by recurring disc problems that may cause pain for years to come, according to the MLB.com. "He's got a degenerative back," Rockies trainer Keith Dugger said. "It's the same problems he's been having, so we're going to take things slowly." Our View:The injury has kept Helton on the disabled list for more than a month. Helton began feeling healthy enough to hit off a tee and participate in soft toss last week, but his back pain flared up soon after. Helton has not participated in baseball-related activity since, and as such it is clear fantasy owners need to take action. We'll keep you posted on his progress to return. |
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August 4, 2008 Rockies first baseman Todd Helton underwent an MRI after having a setback while attempting to rehab his lower back, reports the Denver Post. Our View:The results of the MRI will determine if Helton has a serious injury, possibly to a disc in his back. It's possible he may not return this season. His use in fantasy leagues has been waning each season, and this is yet another step in that direction. |
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August 2, 2008 The Denver Post states that Todd Helton has suffered another setback in his recovery from a back ailment. Helton hit off a tee and did soft-toss in the batting cage on consecutive days this week, after which his back problems flared up. The team is classifying his ailment as back spasms, though they believe it is related to his lower disk injury. Our View:There is now more uncertainty as to when he may return to the Rockies. He will rest for the remainder of this weekend and be re-evaluated Monday when the Rockies return to Coors Field. |
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July 22, 2008 The Denver Post states that Todd Helton is not close to returning to the Rockies. He is slowly recovering from a sore back and he said, "It's not easy not being able to help your team. That's the frustrating part of it. They don't want me to hit yet. Even though I feel like I could, they're thinking one bad swing could set me down again." Our View:His back is feeling better and he is playing catch and running on the treadmill, but the Rockies want to remain cautious with him, and there remains no timetable for his return. |
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July 21, 2008 Todd Helton has increased his exercise workload for his ailing back and hip, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Our View:He is still yet to start any baseball related activity, but remains hopeful to return to action at some point near the end of July. |
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July 18, 2008 Todd Helton, who is recovering from a sore back, went through light work Thursday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Our View:Helton had some soreness flare up, but trainer Keith Dugger was not surprised. He remains hopeful to return to action at some point near the end of July. |
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July 14, 2008 Todd Helton, who is recovering from lower back inflammation, will be working out with the Rockies when they return from the All-Star break, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Our View:Trainer Keith Dugger said Helton is rid of the symptoms related to the ailment. He hopes to be back at some point near the end of the month, and is worth stashing for the stretch run of the second half. |
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July 7, 2008 Todd Helton will undergo an epidural on Tuesday, this according to the Rocky Mountain News. The procedure should offer the veteran some relief for his aching back and leg pain that sent him to the disabled list last week. The report notes that Helton had been suffering leg pain since mid-June after straining a hamstring while the Rockies were playing the White Sox in Chicago. Our View:Helton recently disputed a report that he has numbness in his leg. He said the hamstring and current leg problem are not related. |
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July 4, 2008 Todd Helton has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a sore back, according to the AP. Skipper Clint Hurdle said, "He feels probably more discomfort today than yesterday. We feel we’re best served by shutting this thing down for a while and give him a chance to heal rather than pushing his way through this one. I don’t think he’s capable of pushing his way through this one." Our View:Helton was only hitting .182 over his last 22 games. This is his third trip to the DL in his 11-year career. |
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July 3, 2008 Todd Helton, who left Wednesday's game in the eighth inning with a sore back, is out of Thursday's lineup for the Rockies, this according to the Rocky Mountain News. Manager Clint Hurdle said, "As we move forward, I just think there's going to be days we take more liberally, and he's good with it. But this is something we need to calm down." Our View:Helton has slumped recently (14-for-77)dropping his average from .295 on June 6 to .266. |
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June 23, 2008 Todd Helton is three for his last 30 and is hitting an un-Helton-like .275 on the year, but manager Clint Hurdle has no plans of removing the veteran from the cleanup spot, according to MLB.com. "Any conversation I have long term," Hurdle said, "I normally have conversations with the players rather than the public. We are of the same opinion that we want to do what's best for the team, what's best for the lineup. I do believe our lineup's dynamic is best with Todd at cleanup." Our View:Helton's OBP is still over .400, and although his power numbers (seven homers, 27 RBI) are down a bit, this slide is nothing he can't come out of. |
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June 12, 2008 Todd Helton produced two hits and two runs on Thursday as he raised his average to .297 on the year. Our View:.278 in April, .287 in May and now .378 in June. Helton owns a career .330 batting average, and has hit at least .320 in eight of the last nine seasons, so it was only a matter of time before the average began to climb. |
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June 10, 2008 The Rockies got the offense going in a major way at home this evening with the usual suspects doing the damage. The top dog was first baseman Todd Helton , going 3-for-4 at the dish with his seventh homer of the season to total three RBIs and two runs scored. Our View:Helton's bat is starting to heat up a bit, now sitting at 11-for-30 through June. |
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June 8, 2008 The Rockies suffered the disappointing 3-2 loss to Milwaukee today, though few are likely to feel the pain like first baseman Todd Helton . Helton went 0-for-5 at the plate with one strikeout and a surprising eight men left on base. Our View:Helton has been surging of late, sporting a 11-game win streak coming into the series with the Brewers. He went 2-for-4 in the first game of the set but has gone 0-for-8with one walk in the two games since. |
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June 4, 2008 Todd Helton extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield single in the first inning of the 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Our View:Helton is batting .292, well below his career average and he has only 22 RBI on the season in 216 at-bats. Need some evidence as to why the Rockies are struggling? Look no further than the team's injuries and the lack of production from past-his-prime Helton. |
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June 4, 2008 The Rockies have stopped an eight-game slide by taking the Dodgers to the loss column, 3-0. As usual, first baseman Todd Helton was the man on the trigger, going 1-for-2 with two walks and one RBI on the night. Our View:Helton entered June with a whopping 44 walks versus just 28 strikeouts on the season, and he is once again making his way to first base with ease. |
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June 2, 2008 Todd Helton couldn't carry the Rockies on Monday night. He went 3-for-4 with one run, but the club scored just two times. Our View:Helton has a nine-game hitting streak, and he's piled up eight runs, two homers, and six RBI during that time. He won't keep that pace up, of course, but the veteran is showing he can still rake a little bit. |
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May 31, 2008 The Colorado Rockies filled the early plate for baseball fans today, facing off against the Cubbies in Chicago, but at game's end they had managed just four hits and fell well short of needs for the win, taking the 5-4 loss. For the Rockies, it was veteran first baseman Todd Helton serving the cause as well as any, going 1-for-1 with three walks at the dish, hitting his sixth home run of the season with no runners on base, finishing with one RBI on the day. Our View:Helton has struggled a bit in attempting to get his batting average to .300 (now standing at .280). However, he has hit safely in each of his last seven games with 24 total walks earned through the month of May. |
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May 30, 2008 Todd Helton blasted a three-run homer in Friday's disappointing 10-9 loss to the Cubs. Helton went 1-for-5 on the day. Our View:That was Helton's fifth homer of the season, with only 20 RBI. |
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May 20, 2008 Colorado first baseman Todd Helton continues to swing a steady bat for the Rockies but it was San Francisco that emerged victorious 6-5 this evening. Helton went 2-for-2 with three walks on the evening. Our View:Helton's batting average is holding steady at .276, and while his power numbers continue to disappoint, his 11 walks versus just five strikeouts in the month of May are providing some semblance of balance for a team that is struggling to find wins. |
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May 18, 2008 Todd Helton finally displayed some of the old pop on Sunday as he went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI for the Rockies. Our View:Helton has been a major disappointment so far with only a .269 average and three home runs coming into Sunday, but he is just too good a hitter to continue to struggle like this. Keep that in mind if you need some help at first base as this is a good time to buy low on the all-star. |
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May 16, 2008 Todd Helton went hitless in four trips to the plate on Thursday night as his average fell to .276. Our View:Helton simply can’t buy a hit right now which is a vexing situation given his career long trend of excellent hitting. The power is no longer there, but we expect a whole lot more out of him than a hollow .270’s average that we could get from a weak hitting middle infielder. |
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May 14, 2008 Colorado 1B Todd Helton is starting to round into form despite the 4-3 loss to Arizona this evening, going 3-for-4 at the dish with one walk and one run scored. Our View:He's still struggling in the power department, but that trademark Helton batting average is starting to come up (now residing at .284). |
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May 13, 2008 Todd Helton will not be in the lineup on Tuesday night as he will be given the night off since the Rockies are facing the D'backs lefty Randy Johnson, according to the Denver Post. Jeff Baker will start in his place. Our View:Helton is having a rough start to the year with just a .271 average and 13 RBI, but given the consistency he has displayed the past, oh decade, he should be fine by the time it's all said and done. |
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April 8, 2008 Todd Helton had his six-game hit streak snapped on Monday, but he drew two walks, and is the only member of the Rockies to reach base safely in every game this season, this according to MLB.com. Helton currently holds a .296 average over 27 at-bats, with two homers and three RBI. |
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April 6, 2008 Todd Helton had an RBI single in Colorado's Sunday loss to the Diamondbacks. The veteran first baseman has hit safely in all six games this season. The former perennial All Star is hitting .320 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored this season. |