FAMILY MATTERS

Left-handed reliever Jeremy Affeldt left the team Tuesday to be with his wife, who is due to deliver the couple's first child. Hurdle said he did not expect Affeldt to rejoin the team until the weekend series at Arizona, at the earliest.

Affeldt has pitched only once in the past nine days, but Hurdle said that was by design because Affeldt felt he was going through a dead-arm stage and could use some time off.

ON HOLD

Right-hander Jason Hirsh's hope to pitch again this season appears to be disappearing. Hirsh has been on the disabled list since Aug. 9 with a fractured right fibula. It is a nonweight bearing bone, but he is still using a walking cast.

Trainer Keith Dugger said Hirsh would not actually throw off a mound to hitters or get involved in fielding drills until after at least one more set of X-rays. With only 30 games remaining in the season, that does not leave Hirsh much time to rebuild his arm strength to pitch in a game.

NUMBERS GAME

2 Rockies Single-A affiliates placed the shortstop and second baseman on the league All-Star teams. Second baseman Eric Young Jr. and shortstop Chris Nelson of Modesto were selected in the California League and second baseman Daniel Mayora and shortstop Hector Gomez of Asheville were selected in the South Atlantic League.