Todd Helton's Ailment Puzzles His Doctors

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was suddenly placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday as doctors tried to determine why he is suffering from "stomach discomfort." No further explanation was given because no explanation is known. Todd Helton has been associated with various medical problems, most notably a strained calf muscle, which kept him out of action for 14 games last year, and an ongoing difficulty with one or more compressed vertebrea in his neck. Presumably, Helton's stomach issue differs from his chronic ailments of the past, and is unrelated to a clubhouse flu bug that also has sidelined Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkens. Helton, 32, has only one homer on the year, but his batting average has flirted with the .400 mark off and on this season.