It's hard to imagine the Rockies without Todd Helton. Other players have moments — Matt Holliday with The Slide, Curtis Leskanic's Leap, Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter — but Helton owns the franchise's standard of excellence.

He will turn 39 next month, his age and declining statistics reflected in the team's decision Monday to sit him until the team comes back to town. Rather than fly Helton to Phoenix to be activated Tuesday and play Wednesday, the Rockies decided it was best for Helton, who has a sore right hip, to work out at Coors Field and rejoin the team Friday.