Rollins' return likely to come tomorrow
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Rollins' return likely to come tomorrow
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Jimmy Rollins thinks he is ready to play, and it's safe to say that his opinion is the one that counts the most. The All-Star short stop, sidelined with a calf strain since April 12, was scheduled to fly back to Philadelphia today after making his first rehab appearance for Clearwater yesterday.
The Phillies could postpone activating Rollins once he returns, but all of their minor league affiliates are on the road, so he won't be making a rehab start tomorrow.
And if Rollins feels like he is ready to play, the club is likely to listen to him.
It could mean the end of the Wilson Valdez era in Philadelphia. Manuel said yesterday the team needs to keep 12 pitchers, meaning one of their five current bench players will have to go. The Phillies will have to DFA Valdez, meaning another team can claim him off waivers, or he can later elect free agency and sign elsewhere. He also could accept an assignment back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
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J.A. Happ and pitching coach Rich Dubee were happy with his long toss session today, meaning the rehabbing lefty will attempt to throw a bullpen session within the next couple of days. The last time Happ tried to throw off a mound, Dubee quickly ended the session when his elbow soreness returned.
Happ still has a long road in front of him: he'll likely need a couple of bullpen sessions and an up-and-down session, then several rehab starts (he hasn't pitched since April 15), all of them without any set-backs. Even if everything goes perfectly, he won't be back until sometime in June.
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Carlos Ruiz caught Jamie Moyer in a bullpen session today and was happy with the way his sprained knee felt. He is available in an emergency tonight, but has a shot at returning to the line-up tomorrow.
Cliff Lee threw 8 IP, 2 ER, 10 K today vs. one of the best hitting teams in baseball...........— twothousandeight- To twothousandeight: Get a life!— SPBilly
- Cliff Lee is no Jamie Moyer— Wheel
- Cliff Lee lost today.— Rod72
- cliff lee is long gone, get over it
- Slowly the pieces are coming back. Cliff lee is not coming back. It's time to move on from 2009.— nilsen
- Wow you guys are dismissive. Never say never. I would love to have Cliff Lee back. SPBilly.....chill dude.— tfarnath
- Well, it was a great era. Goodbye Wilson Valdez.— PhillyPhan35
- Cliff Lee is NOT HERE and he will NOT BE HERE tomorrow or the next day or the next day......— DODGE.EM
- Cliff Lee misses having a team that can score, but he made his choice by not offering to re-sign. Pat Burrell off the bench for some right-handed pop?— HandNik
- Castro could be DL'd too...— frankatlasalle
- RH pop? Pat Burrell has a pop-gun. NFW.— Bob1
- It'll be great for the team to get Rollins back. Dude is an anchor for the team, but they've done well in his absence.— Timmy
- Cliff Lee is the difference between a World Series and no World Series. That was one of the most bonehead moves a Philly GM ever made. "The Rube" gave away a Cy Young award winning pitcher who was to earn half of his market value for MINOR LEAGUERS.— Bobphxville
- Yeah, why not DL Castro and hang onto Valdez for a bit.— hunsinator
