Todd Helton plans to play to the end of his contract, which runs out after the 2013 season.

The 37-year-old Helton said he never considered retirement this winter despite coming off an injury-plauged year where he batted just .256/.362/.367 with eight homers over 398 at-bats. "In an upset moment at the height of frustration last season, sure I considered leaving. But I was never serious. I plan on leaving this game on a good note and finishing out my contract," said Helton. The Rockies signed Ty Wigginton this winter as insurance in case the injury bug bites Helton again in 2011.

Todd Helton told Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post that he has no plans to retire after the season.

"I am not retiring," he said. "The plan is to come back and play better next year." Limited to just 114 games this season due to leg and back injuries, the 37-year-old Helton is batting just .260/.365/.375 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. He's still under contract for the next two seasons, but the club will likely look to pair him with a right-handed option at first base, possibly in the mold of Conor Jackson or even Garrett Atkins, who was non-tendered by the club last winter.

Todd Helton had four singles in five at-bats Friday against the Dodgers.

Helton's play has fallen off again after his strong August, but he's still getting on base plenty (43 percent of the time this month). Tonight's four-hit game was his second of the season.

Todd Helton is out of Thursday afternoon's lineup against the Reds.

Helton has just one hit in his first 21 at-bats (.045) this month, so he'll take a seat against the left-hander Travis Wood. Jason Giambi will start at first base and bat fifth.

Todd Helton went 3-for-5 and started an eighth-inning rally with a triple as the Rockies overcame a 10-1 deficit to beat the Braves 12-10 on Wednesday.

The Braves scored 10 times in the first three innings, but they never answered as the Rockies scored once in the fourth, three times in both the fifth and sixth innings and then four runs in the eighth. It was truly a team effort for the Rockies, as none of their players had more than two RBI or runs scored. Seth Smith hit their only homer. Helton was the lone player with three hits. He went 7-for-12 as the Rockies swept the three-game series against the Braves.

Todd Helton went 4-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in Monday's win over Atlanta.

Where did that come from? Helton was hitting just .250 over 48 at-bats since returning from the DL, so Monday's showing was a pleasant surprise. Still, he's batting just .257 with four homers over 300 at-bats this season, so we can hardly expect more of this, especially since manager Jim Tracy has said Helton will not be the everyday first baseman.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy confirmed Monday that Todd Helton will not see starter-like playing time down the stretch.

Helton is batting .310 with two homers, two doubles and five RBI since returning from the disabled list, but the Rockies are wise enough to know that he won't hold up with continuous playing time down the stretch. "We're mindful of what it was that sent him to the DL," said Tracy, "and [if] we bring him back and push him, we're completely defeating the purpose."

Todd Helton had a homer and a sac fly Saturday versus the Brewers.

Helton, who had just two homers in 248 at-bats before landing on the DL, is hitting .310 with two homers, two doubles and five RBI in eight games since returning. There's no telling whether his body will hold up, but the rest obviously did him a lot of good.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said that the team will make decisions on Todd Helton (back) and Dexter Fowler (rib) after being re-evaluated Tuesday.

Helton played three rehab games with the rookie league team in Casper this weekend, but his status for Tuesday is up in the air at this point. Fowler, meanwhile, could be headed to the disabled list with soreness in his rib cage.

Todd Helton (back) said he hasn't spoken with the Rockies about returning from the disabled list Tuesday.

Helton said his back and legs felt fine after going 5-for-10 with a double and five RBI over three games with the organization's rookie league team in Casper this weekend. It doesn't appear the team has made up their minds yet.

Todd Helton (back) went 3-for-4 with three RBI in his third rehab game Sunday at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Helton finished the weekend 5-for-10 with five RBI and played one game at first base. He could be cleared to return to the Rockies as early as Monday afternoon. The veteran first baseman has been sidelined since early July with a back injury and will return to a .246/.336/.310 batting line.

Todd Helton (back) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday with Single-A Casper.

"We will see I do and take it from there," Helton said. He has been on the disabled list since early July with a back injury and is hoping to return to the Rockies' starting lineup in early August.

Todd Helton (back) is getting closer to a rehab assignment.

Helton should head to one of the Rockies' minor league affiliates by the end of the week and is likely to rejoin the big league club within a week. He has been on the disabled list since early July with a back injury.

Todd Helton (back) is expected to work out for about a week before going out on a rehab assignment.

Helton ran on a treadmill Friday as he continues to build up strength in his legs. It was originally expected that he would start a rehab assignment this past Thursday, but obviously that's been pushed back a ways. Assuming he has no setbacks, Helton could rejoin the team sometime in early August.

Todd Helton (back) will not begin a rehab assignment Thursday, as previously scheduled.

Instead, Helton is on his way to Denver to do leg strengthening. The Rockies want him near 100 percent when he returns, which he clearly isn't. Jason Giambi will start against the Marlins on Thursday and holds some fleeting value in NL-only formats.

Todd Helton (back) will head out on a rehab assignment Wednesday.

It might be a short one, as the Denver Post's Troy Renck suspects that he could be activated by Saturday. Helton has been on the disabled list since early July with back soreness. He will return to a .246/.336/.310 major-league batting line, two home runs and 16 RBI. That's through 248 at-bats.

As expected, Todd Helton (back) will not be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.

The Denver Post reported that Helton did not look good in batting practice Monday, so this news hardly comes as a surprise. It's more likely he will return on Wednesday. Brad Eldred will start at first base against the Marlins on Tuesday.

Todd Helton (back) is unlikely to be activated from the disabled list when he is eligible Tuesday.

The Rockies are facing left-hander Nate Robertson on Tuesday, so the club will probably wait at least another day. Helton is currently scheduled to test his back by running and hitting on Monday. It's still unclear whether the veteran first baseman will need a minor league rehab assignment.

Todd Helton (back) is unsure when he'll be able to return to the Rockies lineup.

The veteran will take batting practice for the next few days, but there's no indication of when he will be activated from the disabled list. Helton is eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday, but he won't be ready then. "I'm going to take BP and talk to the trainer and see what he says," said Helton. "But I feel good." Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Brad Eldred, Chris Iannetta and most recently, Brad Hawpe have filled in at first base with Helton out.

Todd Helton (back) is unlikely to return from the disabled list when he is eligible on July 20.

Helton will travel with the team to Cincinnati and Florida, but the team doesn't want him to return until he is close to 100 percent. He's feeling better with the benefit of the All-Star break, but he likely won't be ready by next Tuesday.