Rollins uncertain whether DL will be needed
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Rollins uncertain whether DL will be needed
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
It should have gone down as one of their most impressive victories of the season. Their young No. 2 starter shut down a Red Sox line-up that scored 22 runs against them in a three-game series last June. Their left/right combination in the middle of the order drove in four runs, Ryan Howard hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning and Jayson Werth hitting a towering two-run shot in the fifth off starter John Lackey. They began interleague play with an impressive 5-1 victory over Boston that ended when David Ortiz lined out to deep center field with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth.
Yet it was impossible to ignore the loss that may have occurred when short stop Jimmy Rollins pulled up lame a third of the way to first base on a single to right field in the sixth inning. The diagnosis was sunny given the circumstances -- a mild strain of his right calf, the same muscle that caused him to spend five weeks on the disabled list -- but even the short stop admitted afterward that his immediate future was unknown.
Asked if he had any idea whether a trip to the disabled list was possible, Rollins shook his head.
"About as good (of an idea) as yours," he said.
The injury came on the day that Rollins made his return to the leadoff spot, and just four days after he was activated from the disabled list following a lengthy rehab of what had been diagnosed as a mid-grade calf strain.
Rollins said afterward the injury did not feel as bad as the one he suffered on April 12 while running sprints in the outfield prior to the Phillies' home opener against the Nationals.
"Not at all," Rollins said, "which is a good thing. It's not tender to the touch. I'll see how it feels tomorrow."
But at the bare minimum, Rollins sounds set to miss the rest of this weekend series against the Red Sox, who took two out of three from the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park last summer. He said there are no immediate plans for an MRI, although there is the possibility of undergoing one on Monday's off day.
Until then, veteran short stop Juan Castro, who replaced Rollins at first base after the sixth-inning single yesterday, will likely start in his stead. Coincidentally, the injury occurred on the same day the Phillies learned that back-up infielder Wilson Valdez had cleared waivers and accepted an assignment back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Valdez, who played solid defense and had a few big hits while splitting time with Castro at short stop, was eligible to be claimed by another big league team, which the Phillies thought was a possiblity.
Instead, he'll be recalled if Rollins does indeed need a second stint on the DL.
Rollins doesn't sound convinced that he'll need one, though.
"An hour later, it feels a lot better than it did when I came out," he said, "so we'll see."
Comment removed.
I'd rather Jimmy do time again on the DL than risk losing him for the whole season. Looks like Wilson may get to travel the northeast extension at least one more time...— Timmy- 11 games over .500... Can we catch a break already?— BammBamm
- While it sucks Jimmy is hurt again, it really hurts because it'll make Charlie not use the bench players as much (as he says he wants to) and our pinch hitting will still be aweful.— bumblebee_4tuna
- on no, not again— illrhyme
- Even JRolls body knows hes not a leadoff. Let Vic lead off and bat JRoll 6th and Ibanez 7th.— FMBNG
- It's not uncommon to suffer another minor tweak injury to the calf after a significant tear like Jimmy had. His calf muscle has now changed shape slightly and is functioning a little differently than it ever did in his life. Because the muscle fibers are pulling a little differently when he runs or does anything, other fibers are reacting to a different pull or strain than they ever did before too and minor tweaks can occur. Once the muscle fibers learn to adapt and get used to their new function, he will be alright. It just takes time and gradual return to actvities that produce a little work and strain on the fibers. They have to learn to adapt, and that takes time. The training staff and team did nothing wrong here. It generally takes a number of months for these fibers to change so Jimmy will just have to tone his game down a little until they do. This should not be a long term or career changing type of injury....now Lidge.....that's a totally different matter. Hopefully he didn't buy a house in Philly and is only renting.— Mark1npt
- There was a doc on w/ Eskin, right after his initial injury, that said this exact thing would happen. He said as a matter of fact, so no fret. I say let him go on the DL and get this thing rested. I'd rather have him healthy for the 2nd half.— skipper22
- FMBNG...Rollins injury is not the time to debate whether he should be batting leadoff or not....or 6th or anywhere in the line-up for that matter. He's too important to the Phils offense and should be given time to heal his injury. W— tony b
- FMBNG...Rollins injury is not the time to debate whether he should be batting leadoff or not....or 6th or anywhere in the line-up for that matter. He's too important to the Phils offense and should be given time to heal his injury. W— tony b
There is nothing to fret about. Move along. There isn't any club that doesn't hit a rough patch with injuries at some point. We are lucky these past few years that our DL list has been so barren. Does anyone doubt that by September we will have a massive lead in the division, and the best record in the NL? Baseball is a 162 game grind filled with tiny melodramas and stories, but the ending here is the same..... PHILS WIN IT ALL. Get better soon Jimmy and GO PHILLIES. PS. GO FLYERS TOO!!- Comment removed.
- Typical Charlie move, Jimmy told him he was alright so Jimmy goes right back into 9 innings a game no matter what the weather was. Bad enough he ruins the pitching staff but now he is wearing out the core.— toe bee
- Series w/NY, Fla and Atl coming up after this one. Terrible time to lose him, but even w/o him, Phils are a better team than the ones they can partially distance themselves from with some wins in next 10 days.— zdog
- Rest Jimmy. Just rest.— Philly4fanDoc
