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Phillies waiting for return of their spark, Rollins

JIMMY ROLLINS isn't Superman. He's not a savior or the magic elixir that will cure everything that has been ailing the Phillies during their monthlong swoon.

The Phillies hope Jimmy Rollins' return can give the team a much-needed spark. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
The Phillies hope Jimmy Rollins' return can give the team a much-needed spark. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

JIMMY ROLLINS isn't Superman. He's not a savior or the magic elixir that will cure everything that has been ailing the Phillies during their monthlong swoon.

He is, however, a spark-plug leadoff hitter. The Phillies were 103-34 (.752) when he scored a run over the last two seasons, both of which ended in the World Series. He has won three straight Gold Gloves at shortstop, a crucial defensive position. He also possesses an intangible effervescence that can energize an entire roster.

J-Roll has appeared in just 11 games this season. That isn't the only explanation for the fact that the defending National League champions open tonight's interleague series against the Cleveland Indians in third place, 5 1/2 games behind the pace-setting Atlanta Braves. But it's as good a place as any to start.

As of last night, the Phillies still hadn't announced when the 2007 National League MVP would be activated from the disabled list for the second time this season.

It could be as early as tonight.

It can't happen a moment too soon for a team that has lost 19 of its last 30 games.

All that's known for sure is that he played five games on a rehab assignment with the Clearwater Threshers. He flew back to Philadelphia on Sunday. The right calf he strained moments before the home opener and then aggravated less than a week into his comeback has been re-evaluated.

Manager Charlie Manuel expressed hope on Sunday that Rollins would be ready tonight; yesterday's news blackout could be an ominous sign or it simply could be a team being extra cautious before finalizing the roster move.

Men don't share their emotions easily, but centerfielder Shane Victorino felt strongly enough about the subject to approach Rollins recently before he left for Florida.

"I brought it up a couple weeks ago. I'm not one of those guys who usually says things like this, but I really felt how much we miss him. And I told him. I said, 'You can really tell how much you're missed here,' " the Flyin' Hawaiian said after Sunday's loss to the Twins.

"I think what Jimmy brings is not just one part of the game. He brings every aspect of the game. Defense, offense, charisma, energy, baserunning. When you lose a guy like that who's an MVP, you lose a lot.

"Everybody knows we miss him. Everybody knows there's that guy that's missing on the field. And that's him. I don't care if he's 0-for-50 at the plate. He goes out and plays great defense. He can steal a base and score a run. That's what he brings."

Then, almost as if to make sure that didn't sound too sappy, he added a smart-alecky postscript.

"Will he be the answer? I have no idea. I hope he is so we can give him all the glory in the world, like he loves to have. I hope he is the answer so we can say, 'Praise you!' " Victorino said with a grin, mock-bowing in the general direction of Rollins' empty locker.

"Hopefully he is the answer so I can say, 'Hey, you got it. You're the answer.' "

Victorino will be directly impacted when Rollins returns. He has been filling in at the top of the order but most likely will return to the sixth or seventh spot in the order when Rollins is deemed to be 100 percent.

First baseman Ryan Howard is one of Rollins' closest friends. His eyes lit up when asked what the shortstop can add.

"I think Jimmy helps bring that extra bit of swagger back to the team," he said with a chuckle. "Obviously, Jimmy's not the bashful one for talking. And when he goes out in the media and he makes his predictions or whatnot, he makes those predictions because he believes in what our team can do and what we're capable of doing. And we go out there and do our best to try to back him up. He definitely brings that leadership role back into the game. It will be good to have him back."

Phillers

There has also been no update on the status of catcher Carlos Ruiz, who suffered a concussion when hit in the head by Jason Kubel's bat during Friday night's game . . . Tonight's Phillies starter, Jamie Moyer, has allowed 504 home runs in his career. That's one short of the all-time record held by Hall of Famer Robin Roberts . . . Here's a status report on the four Phillies prospects who were traded to Cleveland in the Cliff Lee deal last July: Jason Donald has started 25 games at shortstop and four at second base. He's batting .245. Lou Marson opened the season as the everyday catcher but was demoted to Triple A Columbus on June 11 when hot prospect Carlos Santana was recalled. He was batting .191 at the time. Righthander Carlos Carrasco is 5-3, 4.29 for the Clippers. And righthander Jason Knapp continues to rehab after shoulder surgery.