Helton's back acts up after pinch-hit appearance

PITTSBURGH -- Rockies veteran first baseman Todd Helton's usually balky back felt so good that he started eight straight games before not being in the lineup Saturday night. But when he appeared as a pinch-hitter in that loss, the pain returned.

Helton admitted to not feeling good while going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout during Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Pirates. But he does have a day off Monday and will check back in with manager Walt Weiss before Tuesday night's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

"It didn't feel too good today," Helton said after Sunday's game. "The pinch-hit [Saturday] probably screwed me up a little bit."