"His back still sore and his hamstring slightly pulled, first baseman Todd Helton landed on the disabled list Wednesday.

Helton will receive an epidural injection to relieve the pain, followed by three days of minimal activity. Helton, 36, underwent back surgery in 2008, but he said the situations are not comparable.

"It's not even close to that," Helton told The Denver Post. "But I don't want it to get that bad. That's why I am getting the shot now."

The Rockies called up Brad Eldred, 29, to replace Helton and started him at first base Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound, right-handed slugger had 22 home runs with 64 RBIs for the Sky Sox and earned the nicknamed "King Kong" in spring training for his prodigious shots.

"He moves around well for a big man. He can hit the ball as far as anyone," manager Jim Tracy said of Eldred. "And in between there are some drafts of wind."

Tracy will think outside the batter's box to address his situation at first base, using Jason Giambi and Eldred, while not ruling out right fielder Brad Hawpe and catcher Chris Iannetta getting some time."