Phillies Extra: Wilson Valdez's travels

So what do you do when you're designated for assignment?

Well, you sit around and wait. And wait.

Infielder Wilson Valdez was designated for assignment by the Phillies last Monday when Jimmy Rollins was activated from the disabled list. Valdez was out of options, so the Phillies had 10 days to either trade, release, or put Valdez on waivers.

With the hope of retaining his rights, the Phils placed Valdez on waivers. He cleared Friday, a day after his 32d birthday.

"I was sitting in the hotel," Valdez said. "There were no phone calls until the last day I cleared waivers, and they told me I had to go to Lehigh. I said OK and packed my stuff and left."

How did he pass the time?

"I listened to my iPod a lot," Valdez said.

The Phillies outrighted Valdez to triple-A Lehigh Valley and he reported Friday but was not in the lineup. That night, back in Philadelphia, Rollins reinjured his right calf. The next day, he was placed on the disabled list again and Valdez was recalled.

He got the call at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. A driver picked him up in Allentown and brought him to Citizens Bank Park. He arrived about 6:30.

"There was an accident, too, so we had to go really slow," Valdez said. "It was crazy."

And now he's back in the hotel.

"I'm glad to be here," he said.