clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Todd Helton Out For Season

June 25, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton hits (17) a sacrifice RBI during  the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals  at Coors Field.  Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE
June 25, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton hits (17) a sacrifice RBI during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

Colorado Rockies' first baseman Todd Helton will miss the remainder of the 2012 season with a torn labrum in his right hip, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post:

The Rockies' veteran first baseman will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. The surgery, to be performed Friday, marks the end of Helton's 15th full season in the major leagues.

Helton, 38, has been hindered with a sore hip since an early June road trip and it impacted his ability to lift his leg, throwing off his timing, reports Saunders. He was hitting .238/.343/.400 on the season, down from a .320/.419/.545 career line.

Helton is the fourth player in as many days to be placed on the disabled list by the Rockies. Christian Freidrich, also out for the season, is on the DL with a lower back stress fracture, Michael Cuddyer is on the 15-day DL with a strained oblique, and recently-acquired Jonathan Sanchez was just placed on the DL with bicep tendinitis.

With Helton down, OF/1B Tyler Colvin and UTIL Matt McBride will likely be seeing the majority of the playing time at 1B, at least until Cuddyer returns from the DL. The roster moves have not yet been officially made, but this could open up a bench slot for somebody like Charlie Blackmon or Andrew Brown.

*** UPDATE ***

Per the Rockies' official twitter feed, Chris Nelson will be activated from the 15-Day DL to take Helton's roster spot.