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TUCSON, Ariz. -- Todd Helton made his first appearance in a Colorado lineup Sunday.Just don't expect it to be an everyday occurrence.
The Rockies' first baseman, who has been battling back issues for longer than he cares to remember, and manager Jim Tracy have structured a Cactus League plan that will have Helton putting as little strain on his back during spring training as possible.
Helton will get Monday off and will play again Tuesday. The idea is to have him play every other day. And as a further concession to Helton's importance to the lineup and to the delicacy of his back, he won't make any road trips to the Phoenix area, meaning he will only play at Hi Corbett Field and across town against the Diamondbacks in Tucson Electric Park.
With All-Star Felix Hernandez pitching Sunday for Seattle in a game a Rockies split-squad team won 5-4, Helton had three at-bats and was hitless, producing three ground balls. Two of the at-bats were against Hernandez and the third against lefty Jason Vargas.
"It's good to get in the flow of the game,'' Helton said. "My swing wasn't any good. But it felt good to get out there on the field again.
"I realize I have a lot of work to do. But there is plenty of time to get ready.''
Both Tracy and Helton are hoping these spring restrictions on Helton will mean less pain and more playing time for the first baseman during the heart of the season.
As an added precaution, the club signed free agent Jason Giambi, who got into 19 games as a pinch-hitter and backup to Helton late in the 2009 season. In trying to lure former MVP Giambi back, Helton assured him that Giambi would get more at-bats this year because Helton will take more time off during the season to better manage his health."He's a great hitter, and we need him in the lineup as much as possible,'' Giambi said of Helton Sunday. "He plays with a lot of pain.''
Helton didn't show any obvious pain during any of his three at-bats. And he's hoping the benefits of this plan will show up come August and September when the Rockies hope to be competing for the National League West title.
"I hope this helps me feel batter later in the season,'' Helton said. "I will know when I'm ready [to play every day] when I feel it. I will be ready.''
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