DENVER (AP) -The Colorado Rockies activated first baseman Todd Helton from the 60-day disabled list on Friday.
Helton was not in the starting lineup for the first game of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Rockies said he was available off the bench.
Helton was placed on the 15-day DL on July 3 because of a strained lower back. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 10. It was his third trip to the DL in his 11-year career and first time since 2006. In the first 10 years of his career Helton played an average of 154 games and never missed more than 18 games. He has missed 66 games in 2008 entering Friday.
The team designated right-handed pitcher Pedro Strop for assignment to make room for Helton on the 40-man roster.
Before going on the DL, Helton said his chronically sore back had been bothering him for a while, and after taking a big cut and miss against San Diego on July 2, his back locked up.
Helton’s back has improved of late, and he took batting practice Wednesday and Thursday in Atlanta, and again Friday before the game with the Dodgers.
who brought a .332 batting average into the season, was hitting just .266 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 81 games. In his last 22 games leading up to July 3, he was hitting .182 (14-for-77).
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