Polanco out with back injury
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Polanco out with back injury
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
In a shocking development, the Phillies will be without their starting third baseman in Game 1. Placido Polanco is out of the starting lineup with what is being described as a back injury -- not an injury to his left arm/elbow, which has bothered him all season and will require off-season surgery.
In his place, Wilson Valdez -- the minor-league free agent whose legend appears to grow by the day -- will bat eighth and play third. Jimmy Rollins will lead off. Shane Victorino will bat second.
When asked about his elbow Tuesday, Polanco said he felt great after a fourth cortisone shot.
"Yes, less tired," he said. "A little stronger."
Of course, no one asked him about his back. There are indications this injury is not serious. For one, the Phillies could have waited until 10 a.m. Wednesday to submit rosters. If Polanco's injury was that serious, they could have left him off the roster. But he remains on it.
More to come...
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I can't believe Rollins is leading off...he should be 6th or 7th.— uncle meat- I knew they'd find a way to get Valdez into the lineup.
Is Polanco available to pinch hit?— Rick Wise Guy - At least we know Chico Ruiz won't be stealing home on us this time...
Using just 3 pitchers... now where have I heard this before... Bunning, Short, XXX,
— dedhed - cortisone shot, anyone?— escapedcamden4monterey
For JRO to make the first out of the game he would have to be playing for the Reds. What a stupid post.- Why is Rollins leading off?! Maybe he'll make me eat my words and hit leadoff homers like he did in the '08 postseason. GO PHILS!!— jimyd0315
- PANIC!!!!— ArtieLange
- much excitement - it will be a real trip!— russ4philly
- JRo swings at the first pitch and flies out for the first out of the game...— Keep_It_Real
- GAphil.... because you don't want a guy to lose his timing at the plate.— bobf876
- @bleue...Werth breaks up the lefties. Also, this team made the WS the last two years w/o Polly so everything should be fine.— ESFjellin
- Damn, knew we shouldn't have let Pedro walk...— NJguy
- This team has won all year long despite the injuries, they (and the fans) should walk into this game with the same excitement and confidence just the same. With Polly out though, very important to break up the lefties, no way Utley, Howard and Ibanez should be back to back in any format.— Bleue
- someone ask Oswalt if he can play some third....— eh whats the use
- GAphil.. Sometimes with certain injuries it can be better to play a ceratain amount than stop all together. The elbow isn't going go heal without surgery so resting it for a week or more might have made it difficult for him to get back up to full speed. I wouldn't say he injury plagued. First I've heard about his back. He's been pretty reliable I think over the years.— Tiller
- Valdez will step up. Has all year.— Scobie1
- Can someone explain to me why an injury prone guy like this even played in the Braves series?— GAphil
- WOW...(CRICKETS)...NOT EXACTLY THE BEST START TO THE POSTSEASON. HOPEFULLY THIS IS NOT AN OMEN. WE LOSE ARE BEST (AND MAYBE ONLY!!!!) SITUATIONAL HITTER.— dan d
- No.....................— P Even
