Surgery Will Keep Helton Out For At Least Six Months
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.
In Helton's absence, Matt McBride and Tyler Colvin will likely take over duties at first base for the Rockies.