--1B Todd Helton continues to move forward in his quest to return to the active roster before the season ends in four weeks. Helton, out since July 3 with lower back stiffness, swung the bat all three days the Rockies were in San Diego, including taking regular batting practice on Saturday and Sunday. Two times previously, since he was disabled, Helton has suffered significant setbacks when he started to swing the bat, but not this time. "We are trying to figure out a plan of attack," said Helton. "If I can play, I want to play (not be a bat off the bench). I'm not looking at next year or sitting on my stats or anything. I want to play and do my job."
--C Yorvit Torrealba will meet with team doctors Monday to decide a date for the surgery to repair a torn meniscus in Torrealba's left knee. Torrealba said he would like to come back before the end of the season, but with only four weeks remaining and a best-case scenario of a three-week recovery period, that isn't expected. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list. --C Adam Melhuse was called up during the weekend, and Edwin Bellorin is expected to be added Tuesday as part of the expansion of the active roster from 25 to 40. That will give the Rockies three catchers for the final month. Manager Clint Hurdle did say, however, that even before C Yorvit Torrealba's injury, Chris Iannetta emerged as the No. 1 catcher and with Torrealba sidelined, Iannetta's playing time should increase even more.
--LHP Jeff Francis has made four consecutive quality starts. He is 1-0 but has a 2.42 ERA in those four games.
--RF Brad Hawpe struggles more at Petco Park than any Rockies' regular. He was 1-for-4 and scored in the ninth inning on Sunday, but he struck out three times and is 6-for-36 lifetime in the park.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Consecutive quality starts for LHP Jeff Francis, sidelined earlier in the season by left shoulder inflammation. Francis is 1-0 in the four starts, but has a 2.42 ERA, including allowed one run in seven innings of a no-decision on Sunday.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I just tell him what Rusty Staub told me. There's no pressure on a pinch-hitter. You're going up because everyone else messed up. That had four or five chances and didn't' get the job done. You get one chance." -- Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, on advice to Seth Smith as a pinch-hitter.
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