Helton working his way back: Colorado 1B Todd Helton said Friday he has not experienced any issues with his ailing back during the offseason that forced him to miss most of last September. Helton played only four games in the last month of the season before being shutdown on Sept. 22 with constant back soreness. "I have been working out. There have been no problems," Helton told the Denver Post. "I am fine." (Updated 11/19/2011)
Injury Report
Back - Probable for start of spring training (Updated - 11/19/11)
Fantasy Analysis
Helton, who turned 38 years old last August, has had various back injuries during his MLB career. He finished with a .302 batting average, but was limited to 124 games last season -- the third time in the past four years he has failed to play at least 130 games. Helton is expected to be ready for spring training and will likely be the team's starting first baseman. "There's no reason to think otherwise. He's going to grind and work as hard as anyone to get himself ready," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd told the Denver Post. Consider Helton a late-round selection in the majority of 2012 Fantasy drafts. (Updated 11/19/2011).
12/16/2011 17:21 If nothing else, Cuddyer signing an upgrade to 2011 Rockies
So Michael Cuddyer is headed for the Rocky Mountains. Will the clubhouse leader put the Rockies over the top? No, not until they add pitching, Scott Miller says, but they are on the move.
12/15/2011 11:29 Highlighting top OF prospects for 2012
We all know Bryce Harper is the king of prospects, and we'll see how he does as he's expected to hit the majors at some point in 2012. But who else is out there? Scott White breaks down the top 20 outfield prospects you should have on your radar.
Todd Helton's back problems did not limit him to the same degree as they did in 2010, when he hit just .256, but they kept him out for nearly the whole month of September. When Helton did play, he experienced a minor resurgence of power, hitting 14 home runs and 27 doubles in 421 at-bats. While he showed in 2011 that he can still hit for average (.302) and put together a high on-base percentage (.385), Helton does not provide enough power for a first baseman and cannot be relied upon to stay healthy. Going into the 2012 season, that leaves the 15-year veteran as merely an option for owners in NL-only leagues. (Updated 1/18/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
