Game 160: Jimmy Rollins has a tweaked calf
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Game 160: Jimmy Rollins has a tweaked calf
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — Before Monday, Jimmy Rollins had played in all but three Phillies games this season. His only respite was when his baby girl was born in May. Finishing this season as the lineup's stalwart was a source of pride.
Then he texted Scott Sheridan, the team's head athletic trainer, 12:30 a.m. Monday. His right calf was hurting, the result of a pickoff play gone wrong Sunday.
"I knew I had to do it," Rollins said. "... Even if we were playoff-bound, it was something where I'd have to send him a text, probably with more urgency."
Rollins is unsure whether he'll play again in 2012. He tested the sore calf with some grounders during batting practice.
He thought it prudent to rest Monday, and perhaps longer, to avoid something larger. Rollins called his rest "precautionary."
"So if I get a day off here, or take two and see what’s it's like on the third day, then let's do that," Rollins said. "With the number of games left, that has less to do with it as opposed to, if I do something going into an offseason where I injure myself when it can be prevented right now."
Michael Martinez started at shortstop in Rollins' place. Kevin Frandsen batted first, making him the fifth different leadoff hitter for these Phillies. Rollins, Juan Pierre, Shane Victorino and Nate Schierholtz were the others.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
This is the epitome of why Rollins doesn't get the love he deserves. I have a sore calf too. I'm standing and bending all day at work, like 9-10 hours. I don't say "well I better take off a day or two...I wouldn't want it to turn into anything worse for the weekend".....omg, there are 3 games left. What could it hurt at this point? Jimmy got his numbers up, he'll take it and rest the last week. Turning into the "new Bobby Abreu", yes sir he is.— Mark1npt- Oh? What major league baseball team do you play shortstop for? Or do you work somewhere where you can replaced immediately with someone younger, healthier, and cheaper. Don't blame you for continuing to work thru the pain. — mwcnabb
- Just think if Martinez goes on a hitting streak over the next 3 games he might get to the Medoza Line.
It must be great for Washington to clinch the National East against the Iron pigs tonight.— carltonlakes - yes sir you hit the nail on the head, what a lazy lazy player. oh wait, the article JUST said he's missed 3 games all year, and they were due to his having a baby. SERIOUSLY do you people actually read anything or do you just get off on complaining?— willycliffton
- yes sir you hit the nail on the head, what a lazy lazy player. oh wait, the article JUST said he's missed 3 games all year, and they were due to his having a baby. SERIOUSLY do you people actually read anything or do you just get off on complaining?— willycliffton
- No willy, I love players that "pace" themselves so they don't get hurt. I love players who only show up for half a years worth of work. I love players who get their numbers when it suits them and not the team. We all saw how important Rollins is to the team as they clawed back into the playoff race on the strength of his baserunning, hitting and timely rbis. Seems that once they were elimanted and once he got his numbers 30sb, 100 runs scored, 20 hr, .250 avg......etc. Looks like a pretty great year for him, doesn't it. Would have been very nice if he could have produced even half that while loafing thru and popping up the first half of the year when the team and the city really needed him. Yes sir, he should be entitled to the last 3 games off, right? That's what I'd do if I had a "tweak".— Mark1npt
- dear Dr Mark1npt: sorry to hear about your calf strain. Hope it feels better soon. Despite your exam of Rollins, it appears as if he is hurting. Calf strains for an athlete who relies on his legs are a big deal. Perhaps you missed that in med school. Not sure why it matters so much to you that he play injured now that the season for all intents and purposes is over...but I tend to agree that its probably not in anyones best interest that he make the situation any worse that it need be...
If you wish to make a comparison between your injuries and that of a professional athletes, I know I for one welcome the opportunity to read about it online.— TheLon - The Phillies are disgusting. They should be trying to win these final 3 games and see if Atlanta can win 3 in a row to force a tie for the division. Instead they are just allowing Washington to win without a fight. I hate Atlanta, but they deserve to have teams fight to win until the end.— fischman
- The Phillies are disgusting. They should be trying to win these final 3 games and see if Atlanta can win 3 in a row to force a tie for the division. Instead they are just allowing Washington to win without a fight. I hate Atlanta, but they deserve to have teams fight to win until the end.— fischman
- Take the rest of the year off, Jimmy. At least this way, you'll finish with a batting average over .250.— SteveS11
- He got his 100 runs at leadtb— Jay Grace 69
- Can we put this in perspective. Several years ago-Rollins had some leg, calf and hamstring issues that took the better part of two years to heal. He's now three years older. I realize that he will soon have three months to recover-but do you take the risk at this point?
One can make the argument (and probably win the aforementioned argument) that he should not lead off-but you can not make nor win the argument that there are better all around SS's in the NL.— Smoothellc - Its all good. No need to strain the calf more. It has been an issue previously, so why mess with it now that the games are relatively meaningless? As the game is going on now, do we really need more samples to know that Darin Ruf will be the starting LF next season? He is not by any means a gold glover in LF, however, his bat is simply dangerous. He doesn't strike out a lot and he makes hard contact. A combination of Greg Luzinski and Pat Burrell, except w/o the strike outs. He will hit for a good average and good power. He is that right handed bat we were looking for..and again, it was right under our nose in Reading.— drhoffman
- Ruf looks as if he has potential-I see more GL than PB in him. It will be interesting to see how he handles breaking pitches over time.
It appears that he gets a real good look at the ball and does a good job of keeping his balance-but this is a pretty small sample size.— Smoothellc - Note: Phils 2, Expo's 0. they keep fighting.— Eephus
