Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki admits the torn tendon in his left quadriceps that sidelined him in May won’t be fully healed until next season.

Tulowitzki said the lingering problems don’t affect him when he hits, but defensively there is some imitation to his range.

“There is frustration because I don’t feel I can play the game like I want to,” he said. “I can’t dive for everything. It is getting stronger and it will continue to get stronger in the offseason. The trainers already have made out an (offseason) plan for me.’’

HELTON HEALING

First baseman Todd Helton took another step in his rehab from a lower back problem. Helton, who began playing catch last week, ran in the outfield prior to Monday’s game with the Giants.

The plan is for Helton to take batting practice sometime during the trip.

ADJUSTMENTS

Two of the Rockies three games in San Diego have broadcast changes. Due to a conflict with the Broncos game on Friday the game will be broadcast on KHOW-AM (630). Fox nationally cancelled plans to telecast Saturday’s game so the Padres have moved it to a night game (8:05 p.m., MDT) and it will be televised by FSN Rocky Mountain.

ETC.

Infielder Jeff Baker, hitting .135 in August, has gone from being the primary second baseman to starting only two of the Rockies' past 10 games. . . . Outfielder Seth Smith made only his third start since his July 9 recall, the first in right field. He started twice previously in center. Smith did start 10 times in left field when he was up from May 24 until June 10. . . . Omar Quintanilla's start Monday night was only his seventh since the All-Star break. Clint Barmes was out of the lineup because he is 0-for-8 in his career against right-handed pitcher Matt Cain, the lowest average of any Rockies position player with more than one at-bat against Cain going into Monday. . . . The Giants have set a franchise record with 15 rookies making their debuts, one more than the 1926 New York Giants. It's the most in the majors since the 1954 Philadelphia Athletics, who also had 15. . . . Pablo Sandoval, who has started at catcher, third base and first base in nine starts since being called up from Double-A Connecticut, extended his hitting streak to nine games with a six-inning double off Francis. Sandoval hit .350 with 20 home runs and 96 RBI in 112 games at High-A San Jose and Connecticut before his recall earlier his month.