HANGING ON

Left-hander Mark Redman, an eight- year major league veteran, has signed a minor league contract with the Rockies and pitched for Double-A Tulsa (Okla.) on Monday.

He gave up five runs, five hits, two walks and struck out seven in five innings in Tulsa's 6-5, 11-inning loss to Midland (Texas).

The Rockies are his fourth organization this season.

Redman, a 1995 first-round draft choice, is 64-80 in his career and was an All-Star for Kansas City in 2006.

He was unsigned this year until the opening days of spring training, when Atlanta signed him after losing Mike Hampton. He went 0-4 with an 11.63 ERA in six games (five starts) with the Braves.

The Rockies have three starting pitchers on the disabled list, but manager Clint Hurdle said Redman was not signed with major league needs in mind.

"This is something the minor league people did and made us aware of," he said.

HEALING

Hurdle said he is anxious to get left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes to a point where he can pitch back-to-back games, but the decision is based on feedback from Fuentes.

"He's getting close, but we want to do it right," Hurdle said.

Right-hander Jason Hirsh (fractured right fibula) played long toss Monday.

Right-hander Aaron Cook (strained muscle in left rib cage) played catch, stretching his throws to 120 feet.

HONORED

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton will become the first baseball player to have his number retired by the University of Tennessee.

Helton, who wore No. 2, is in the top three in 27 of Tennessee's single-season and career records. He was an outfielder/relief pitcher.

"It's an honor to have them think that much of what I accomplished," said Helton, who also played quarterback at Tennessee before signing with the Rockies as their No. 1 draft choice in 1995.