Game 98: Polanco sits, Victorino plays

Placido Polanco was completely unavailable Monday night, Charlie Manuel revealed after the game, which sent up red flags. Polanco has long had back problems and spent 25 days on the disabled list in 2011 with the injury.

He is not playing again Tuesday, which marks the third time in four games he is benched. Manuel said Polanco went for an MRI Tuesday afternoon, the results of which were not immediately available. Either way, it's not a great sign he even required one.

It's problematic timing for the Phillies, who could look to move Polanco to a contending team before the July 31 deadline. Polanco has a $5.5 million mutual option for 2013 that will not be exercised.

There were recent reports of the Baltimore Orioles showing interest in the 36-year-old third baseman. If the back pain is even remotely an issue, it likely kills whatever trade value he'd have.

On a more positive note for the Phillies, Shane Victorino is back in the lineup one night after playing only one inning after taking a ball off his right elbow.

The Phillies face Zack Greinke, who has not pitched since July 13. The Brewers put their ace on a mental break to "recharge his batteries." There will be a lot of interested scouts watching his outing Tuesday.

1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Shane Victorino 8
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Carlos Ruiz 2
6. Hunter Pence 9
7. Ty Wigginton 5
8. John Mayberry Jr. 7
9. Cliff Lee 1

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