Placido Polanco expects to return Wednesday

MINNEAPOLIS — Placido Polanco spent his day off in Philadelphia to see yet another doctor for yet another ailing part of his 36-year-old body. He joined his teammates Tuesday as they neared the end of early batting practice at Target Field. The third baseman took some hacks as Charlie Manuel watched from behind the cage.

The manager opted not to start Polanco, who deemed himself ready to play, but his return Wednesday will be welcomed. After a weekend of wretched infield defense, Manuel decided to switch things; Ty Wigginton moved across the diamond from third to first, Michael Martinez started at second, and Mike Fontenot manned third.

Entering Tuesday, the Phillies had made 10 errors in their last seven games. They had made that many in the 24 games before that. Wigginton, while at third for Polanco, was responsible for four of the recent miscues. Fontenot had replaced Freddy Galvis, whose best strength was fielding.

"We've been blessed for about the last five or six years where our defense has always been real good," Manuel said. "People have always taken it for granted."

Polanco's return will help. The third baseman's sprained left wrist was injected with cortisone Friday and examined Monday. Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said the exact injury is a small tear in the central portion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Polanco said he does not think the injury will linger.

"The doctor said the shot should take care of it," Polanco said.

It's not just Wigginton who has played shoddy defense. Fontenot cost the Phillies three runs with bad plays Saturday. He has spent the majority of his seven-year career at second base, but Manuel moved him.

"He had a bad game the other day," Manuel said. "They tell me he's a lot better than that. But I saw Martinez at second and I liked him at second."

Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @magelb.