Updated: Rollins' fate won't be decided until tomorrow
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Updated: Rollins' fate won't be decided until tomorrow
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Updated: 7:01 p.m. --
Any decision on Jimmy Rollins' future will not be made until tomorrow, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement released by the team. The shortstop had an MRI on his strained calf earlier this afteroon, but Amaro said the team will delay a decision on a disabled list stint until Wednesday, when the necessary decision makers will be able to meet face-to-face. These decision-makers likely include Amaro, team doctor Michael Ciccotti, head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan, manager Charlie Manuel, and the three assistant general managers, who will be able to shed some light on the various options to replace Rollins if he does indeed need a stint on the DL.
If Rollins does go on the DL, there would seem to be two likely options to replace him: Either utility man Brian Bocock, who was claimed off of waivers from the Blue Jays earlier this spring, or outfielder John Mayberry Jr., who appeared in a couple of stints with the team last year. Both are at Triple-A Lehigh Valley at the moment, and both are on the 40-man roster, so they can move up and down freely between the majors and minors.
A lot could depend on whether Jayson Werth will be able to play over the next few days. He downplayed the severity of the hip soreness that knocked him out of yesterday's win over the Nationals, and predicted that he would be back playing "in a couple of days." If the Phillies think there is a possibility that "a couple of days" will stretch into 5, 6, 7 days, they could call up Mayberry for some right-handed pop off the bench, as well as a right-handed bat to spell Raul Ibanez in a game against a lefty starter. Of course, this would leave them without a proven option at short stop should Juan Castro suffer an injury. Placido Polanco has played close to 200 games at short stop in his career. So if the Phillies went with Mayberry, they could move Polanco to short stop for a few innings if Castro were to get hurt during a game, replace him at third with Greg Dobbs, and then send Mayberry down to the minors and call-up Bocock after the game.
Chances are, Bocock will get the call, although if Rollins is due to miss much more than 15 days, the team could decide to go with veteran utility man Wilson Valdez, who had a strong spring as a non-roster invitee and who has hit well in his first five games at Lehigh Valley. Valdez is regarded as a better defensive short stop than fellow IronPig Cody Ransom, who played third base today in a game against the Pawtucket BoSox.
The Phillies have an open spot on their 40-man roster, meaning they could promote Valdez without jettisoning anybody. However, they would have to expose him to waivers if they were to send him back down, since he is out of options.
Bocock would seem to give the team the most flexibility in the short term. He would serve as a third quarterback of sorts on the bench. Keep in mind that Castro did not play at all in the first six games of the season. Bocock's primary role would be to replace Castro if he gets hurt. If that happens, the Phillies could then call Valdez up to assume the starting job. It might make more sense for the Phillies to keep Valdez in the minors as a potential long-term replacement down the road. If the Phillies call up Valdez now, and Rollins returns in 15 days, they'll risk losing Valdez to another team because they'll have to DFA him. Which leaves them with even less middle infield depth should Rollins get hurt again later.
You can see why the Phillies want to meet face-to-face before deciding on anything.
I watched Wilson Valdez and Juan Castro both play in Clearwater this spring. It was like watching night and day. Castro, who is supposed to be a defensive specialist, mishandled routine grounders, and in one game, had 2 errors at shortstop on easy plays. Living up to his reputation of not being much of a hitter, Castro looked like a fish out of water at the plate. Conversely, Valdez shined at short, second and third defensively. He tore the cover off the ball all spring and even hit a walk-off homer against the Yanks. Based on spring training, the competition between the two was no contest with Valdez winning hands down. For that matter, Cody Ransom had a better spring than Castro. My suspicion was that Castro would make the team because of the nature of his contract and Valdez wouldn't for the same reason. Castro had a timely hit for the Phils yesterday and committed an error on a routine grounder. Valdez has been hitting over .400 at Lehigh Valley. I understand all about options and waivers, but the real reason veterans like Valdez and Ransom are currently playing at Triple A is so they can be prepared to join the Phils if their services are required. If the Phils really need to bring someone up to replace JRoll for any length of time, I hope it will be someone with better offensive and defensive skills than Castro has shown in the early going. With the momentum the Phils are currently generating, I'd bring up someone who was capable of contributing to the momentum. From what I've seen up close and personal, Wilson Valdez is that guy. Alternatively, the Phils could move Polanco to shortstop and play Dobbs at third. We're talking about a few weeks here, and the way Polanco is playing, he could probably play shortstop blindfolded and still be available to pitch every fifth day. I've said all along that the Phils should have never traded Polanco. His return is one of the reasons the Phils are playing like real champs.- Of course I'm worried! What a stupid question. Jimmy is a great defensive and offensive shortstop. Why in the world would anyone not want to see him on the field for the Phillies?— Doubtful
- Why does the Phillies Zone in the Inquirer seem to think Wilson Valdez is the logical choice to make the team now--and he gets not even a mention here? Love the many different angles from ALL of the intrepid reporters in the blogoshpere....— mebphila
- 'mebphila': Re-read Murph's 4th paragraph, won't ya?! (no wonder so many Phils 'fans' talk stupid, they read stupid). The sky is NOT falling; this organization is loaded. Better now, Apr 13th, than Aug 13th.
- Put him on the DL for a week or two. Baseball season is a Marathon not a sprint.— Philly4fanDoc
- Good grief. Let him rest. The worst thing they could do is bring him back too quickly and then not have him for even longer.— NickFromGermantown
- The Nats sent Bruntlett back to the minors. You guys will be begging for him when he turns his next unassisted triple play. I seriously hope JRoll isn't down for long. He's off to a great start this year and he's a hard guy not to like.— s
- Great article David but please tell us what we want to know...WHAT DID THE MRI SHOW?— power808
- Space between the "short" and the "stop"....?....— BySaam
- nostrarollins ... Do you have a sense of humor?— PhightinPhil
- Castro will be fine as a short term replacement.Werth could get 2 extra days off and Charlie could give Gload a start on Wed vs a righty and Francisco a start on Thurs vs. a lefty. Not a bad idea to give those guys some ABs as well. Its a long season and there is no need to rush any players coming back from an injury..— bradco
- I hope Rollins takes the time to get better, as has been posted on this site many times, these calf things are stuctural and you feel better before you are. We need him more later than now but looking at my Thursday tickets, I sure wish he was playing. Get healthy, Jimmy.— WiffleBall
Much ado about nothing.— verve- Yea..for cheesteaks please get over the Clif Lee trade..your team is 6-1...don't look like he's missed all that much...— merlinknghts
- scars 73 has got to be kidding. This article tells you absolutely everything you'd ever need to know about the situation, short of the decision that hasn't been made yet. Thanks for the insight.— Mike G
