Helton hopitalized

[Rockiesfan_H]

Helton goes to hospital for observation
Veteran first baseman experiencing stomach pains and fever


By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

Colorado first baseman Todd Helton is hitting .347 so far this season. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

DENVER -- Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was taken to a local hospital to have doctors evaluate him for an illness that created stomach cramps and fever, club head athletic trainer Keith Duger said. Helton, who batted .347 with one home run and nine RBIs in Colorado's first 16 games, missed his first game of the season, a 9-8 victory over the Giants at Coors Field.


Dugger said the Rockies aren't calling the illness anything other than "stomach discomfort," and doctors at Rose Medical Center in Denver are running tests, such as a CT scan on the stomach, and blood tests. As part of the procedure, doctors will look at his appendix to see if any stones are present.


Helton's illness could be connected to a series of ailments that have run through the Colorado clubhouse.
Helton's case appears to be similar to the one that limited Eli Marrero to three appearances in 10 days before Friday and forced him to be hospitalized at one point for intravenous fluids. Marrero replaced Helton at first base on Friday, and although he said "anything I eat goes right through me," he hit a leadoff home run that started a ninth-inning comeback.


Pitcher Jason Jennings experienced stomach discomfort the eve of the April 3 opener, but the symptoms calmed down enough for him beat the Diamondbacks the following day. Outfielder Matt Holliday missed a game in San Diego.


Dugger said Helton's fever and cramps appeared after Wednesday night's game. Helton experienced increasing problems on Thursday, the club's off-day. Dr. Allen Schreiber, the club's internist, evaluated him and ordered him held for observation.


This is not the first time Helton has been sick since the regular season began. During the club's trip to Arizona last week, Helton said being sick was affecting his hitting. Dugger said the problem then was thought to be in the upper-respiratory region, but his stomach was upset at that time.



Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Rockiesfan_H]

Hell, I just thought they gave him the night off. Get better soon, Todd.

[RockSports17]

Damn. That's gotta suck for Todd. Nobody likes being sick. Hopefully he does get better and comes back healthy and hitting better.

[HollywoodLeo]

Helton's on my fantasy teams

Get well soon, Todd

[love_that_reefer]

Sorry Todd but stay at home as long as you can because the Rockies are playing good ball.

[Providence A's]

Have they figured out what is wrong with him yet?