Jason Giambi was unavailable Tuesday and possibly Wednesday due to a stiff back. Giambi dealt with back issues down the stretch last season, as well. He should be ready for pinch-hitting duty soon.

Jason Giambi has been nursing a sore foot recently. Giambi hasn't started a game since May 9, but he usually only starts about once per week, anyway. He was able to pinch-hit Monday, drawing a walk. He should continue to be available off the bench.

Pinch-hitter Jason Giambi hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Rockies an 8-5 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday. Giambi needed just a sac fly to end it, but he delivered a no-doubter to right-center off reliever Scott Elbert instead. It was his first homer of this season after he entered the game 3-for-17. The Rockies got the win despite blowing leads in both the eighth and ninth innings of the game.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said he wants to get Jason Giambi about 35 starts this season. Giambi was terrific in a backup role last year, batting .260/.355/.603 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats. He was hit just .133 (4-for-30) with one homer in a pinch-hitter role, though, so Tracy wants to get him some time at first base. It shouldn't be a problem with Todd Helton and his chronically aching back ahead of Giambi on the depth chart. Tracy said he also might occasionally use Giambi as a pinch-hitter earlier in the game to switch things up.

Rockies and Jason Giambi exercised a $1 million mutual option for 2012. Giambi, 40, has proved to be a valuable bat off the bench in Denver. As Todd Helton's backup, Giambia hit .260/.355/.603 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats in 2011. He'll play a similar part-time role in 2012.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have exercised Jason Giambi's $1 million option for 2012. It was a mutual option, so Giambi also had to agree to return to Colorado for another season. But it didn't take him long to make that decision. The veteran backup first baseman hit .260/.355/.603 with 13 homers and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats this season. He'll play a similar part-time role in 2012.

Rockies and first baseman Jason Giambi are close to agreeing on an option for the 2012 season. Giambi is expected to exercise his $1 million mutual option that would allow him to return to the Rockies. While he doesn't have to officially make a decision until next week, it's likely there will be a joint announcement Monday given the club's expressed interest in bringing him back. As Todd Helton's backup, he hit .260 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats.

Jason Giambi will be limited to pinch-hitting for the rest of the season due to a stiff back. Giambi, 40, has proved to be a valuable bat off the bench this season, batting .260/.355/.603 with 13 homers over 131 at-bats. The Rockies plan to pick up his $1 million mutual option for next season, though the veteran slugger might be able to negotiate a higher salary for 2012.

Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd said the team plans to exercise Jason Giambi's $1 million mutual option for next season. It's a no-brainer after the 40-year-old showed this season that he can still be a valuable bench bat and occasional first baseman, batting .260/.355/.603 with 13 homers over 131 at-bats. The Rockies will need to find a long-term solution for first base before long, but for now, Todd Helton and Giambi will hold down the fort for another year.

If he is traded, Jason Giambi would prefer to be shipped to the Phillies. Giambi isn't looking to leave Colorado, and he likely wouldn't make it to the Phillies on waivers. He has a cool 1.031 OPS in 124 plate appearances this season.