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Hamels will return Sunday against San Diego; Nix hurting

As expected, Cole Hamels' five-game suspension will only push his next scheduled start back one day.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel confirmed Tuesday that his suspended lefthander will return to the rotation Sunday against the San Diego Padres. He had been scheduled to pitch Saturday, but Roy Halladay will move into that spot and pitch on regular rest.

Hamels had no interest in advancing his Sunday night saga with the Washington Nationals when given a chance to do so Tuesday.

"I'm just going to let it go," he said.

Hamels was suspended and fined an undisclosed amount Monday after admitting he intentionally hit 19-year-old rookie Bryce Harper in the back. He indicated that the fine was not an astronomical amount. He said he does not lose any of his $15 million salary during the suspension.

According to CSNPhilly.com, the commissioner's office has also disciplined Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in an undefined manner. Rizzo verbally attacked Hamels after the Sunday night incident.

The lineup

For the second time in four games, catcher Carlos Ruiz batted fifth in manager Charlie Manuel's lineup Tuesday night against the New York Mets.

The lineup against Mets righthander Miguel Batista would have likely included Laynce Nix, but he has been slowed by a sore calf, according to manager Charlie Manuel.

The full lineup: Jimmy Rollins, SS, Juan Pierre, LF, Shane Victorino, CF, Hunter Pence, LF, Ruiz, C, Placido Polanco, 3B, John Mayberry Jr., 1B, Pete Orr, 2B, Joe Blanton, P.

Lee returns

Lefthander Cliff Lee will return from a strained oblique muscle that sent him to the disabled list when he pitches Wednesday night against the Mets. Pitching coach Rich Dubee indicated Lee will be limited to 75 or 80 pitches.

The Phillies are 0-6 in games started by Lee and Kyle Kendrick, the man who briefly replaced Lee in the rotation.

In order to activate Lee, the Phillies will have to make a roster move. The three candidates to be sent out are lefthander Joe Savery and righthanders Michael Schwimer and Brian Sanches. Sanches does not have any options remaining and would have to clear waivers if the Phillies wanted to send him to triple-A Lehigh Valley.