UNDER THE KNIFE

The up-and-down season of Rodrigo Lopez will hit a new low Aug. 22, when he undergoes surgery on his right elbow. Dr. Lewis Yocum will perform the operation at the Kerlan- Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.

Lopez was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 27 because of a strained flexor tendon and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday. The recovery time for Lopez, a free agent at the end of the season who also spent time on the disabled list earlier this year because of inflammation in the elbow, is uncertain and will not be determined until the extent of the damage is revealed during the procedure.

HE SAID IT

"The leash is short."

Clint Hurdle, Rockies manager, on the future of right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez in the team's starting rotation. Jimenez has allowed 11 earned runs and 15 hits in 6 2/3 innings during his past two starts.

INJURY UPDATES

Center fielder and leadoff hitter Willy Taveras returned to the lineup Friday after missing the previous three games because of a sore right quadriceps that has hampered him since the All-Star break.

Taveras, the Rockies' leader in stolen bases with 29, has only five stolen bases since July 21, and all five occurred in two games - two July 29 against Los Angeles and three Aug. 1 at Florida.

In addition, first baseman Todd Helton missed his second consecutive start because of back spasms that flared up during a win against Milwaukee on Wednesday. It was the first time Helton has missed consecutive starts since he returned from the disabled list in early May 2006 after suffering a stomach ailment.