Helton playing through slump : Despite hitting just .170 with a .191 slugging-percentage in May, manager Jim Tracy has no plans to take Todd Helton out of the starting lineup. Helton entered Monday night's contest batting .219 and has gone 51 at-bats without a home run. "I've said many times, when you're dealing with a player of that magnitude and things aren't quite working out the way he'd like them to be at this time, he's also the same guy that's one good swing away from being the hottest hitter in the league," Tracy told MLB.com. (Updated 05/21/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Helton, 39, may finally be starting to show his age as he has struggled mightily over the first two months of the season. However, he will continue to be the Rockies' everyday first basemen, despite his season-long slump at the plate. While the veteran's track record suggests he should be able to turn things around, Fantasy owners may want to leave him reserved until he can get himself back on track. (Updated 05/21/2012).
05/17/2012 19:58 D-Backs win on Upton's blast in ninth
Justin Upton hit a two-out, two-run homer off closer Rafael Betancourt in the ninth inning to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 9-7 on Thursday in a game that was briefly delayed by a swarm of bees.
05/15/2012 01:37 Giants rally to win third straight
Buster Posey hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 3-1 on Monday night to match their best winning streak of the season at three games.
05/13/2012 20:18 Hit Parade for Week 7
As interleague play gets under way there are many matchups to break down. Our Scott White tells you who the best bets and biggest risks are in his Hit Parade for Week 7.
05/12/2012 23:58 Harang, Dodgers handle Rockies
Aaron Harang pitched eight solid innings, pinch-hitter Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI single, and the Los Angeles Dodgers improved the best record in the majors with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.
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)