Source: Denver Post

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton is traveling to the Western Slope to seek answers about his ailing right hip. Helton, 38, is scheduled to play Friday and Saturday night for the Grand Junction Rockies, the franchise's rookie-league team.

"I'm going to test my hip and hopefully it will hold up," Helton said Thursday.

If all goes well in the rehabilitation stint, Helton could rejoin the Rockies for their Tuesday game at Arizona.

Helton played sparingly as the all-star break approached, but the Rockies hoped the pain in Helton's hip would subside during the break. It didn't, so he was placed on the 15-day disabled list last Friday, retroactive to July 9.

A cortisone shot Saturday brought Helton immediate relief. Although Helton said Thursday that the hip is still bothering him, he believes he's healthy enough to play again.

"I took swings today and everything felt good, so I don't anticipate there being any problems," Helton said. "There is no issue of doing something worse, it's just a matter of dealing with the pain."

Continue Reading...