"It's gotten better, but it isn't getting better," said Rollins, who will be eligible to return May 5. "I can't continue to go at this rate. My game is based on speed. To hit, you have to use your legs, and I'm only able to use one of them."

The Phils also placed reserve outfielder Chris Snelling on the DL yesterday with swelling in his left knee.

Outfielder T.J. Bohn was recalled from triple A to take Snelling's spot. Infielder Brad Harman was recalled from double A to give the Phils infield depth while Rollins convalesces. Eric Bruntlett will continue to start at short with Rollins out.

This is Rollins' first trip to the DL in eight major-league seasons, and it wasn't easy to get him there. He rolled his ankle on the base paths April 8 at Shea Stadium and has been out of the starting lineup since.

At first, Phillies officials didn't expect Rollins to miss a game. The shortstop insisted that he could be back quickly and was available for pinch-hitting duties. He hit in Saturday's game against the Mets and acknowledged yesterday that the pinch-hitting appearance may have aggravated the injury.

That and a don't-be-a-hero conversation with teammate J.C. Romero got Rollins to thinking that a trip to the DL was best for him and the team.

"Hopefully [in 15 days], I'll be 100 percent and not have to worry about going out there and turning a double play or scoring from first, which I pride myself on," Rollins said.

Rollins, who brusquely ended an interview with reporters by saying, "I'm done," did not accompany the team to Denver last night. He will stay off his feet for a few days, then will begin rehabilitating the injury in Clearwater, Fla.

The decision to disable Rollins 12 days after the injury left the Phillies open to questions of whether they should have done so sooner.

"In retrospect, of course it's a mistake, but time and circumstance comes into play," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "You can only go on how the guy feels and what the [medical reports] show. He had no significant swelling. He had what we consider a Grade 1 sprain, and there was nothing out there that didn't make us believe that with a few days rest he'd be ready to go. We don't want to put a guy like that on the DL if we don't have to.

"The doctor has his job and the trainer has his job. You also want to go with what the player tells you. Make no mistake, the player was progressing. His ankle was getting better. It just got to the point where he was not going to get over the hump, so this made sense."

Manager Charlie Manuel said he had no regrets using Rollins as a pinch-hitter. Rollins said he was available to hit and "I was trying to win a ball game," Manuel said. "If Jimmy being hurt is my fault, then blame me. Put it on big Chuck. He'll take the blame. Believe me, I'm big enough to take it. Blame me for whatever you want. No problem."

Welcome, mate

Harman received news of his promotion at 9 p.m. Saturday, after a game in Norwich, Conn. It was 11 a.m. in Australia, so he was able to "make quite a few phone calls."

Harman emerged as a prospect at single-A Clearwater last season and was added to the 40-man roster in November.

The Phillies considered bringing up double-A shortstop Jason Donald, but he has been sidelined with a right hand injury.

Whitey Jr.

The late Richie Ashburn, the beloved Phillies Hall of Famer, is the subject of a new film by Phillies videographer Dan Stephenson. The DVD is on sale at the ballpark and will hit area stores this week.

Rocky Mountain low

The Phils were swept by the Rockies in the National League division series in October, ending their first trip to the playoffs in 14 years.

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