According to assistant GM Scott Proefrock via Matt Gelb and his Twitter feed, the Phillies expect to have Jimmy Rollins back next week when they start a seven-game homestand beginning with the Pirates, then the Cubs, and ending against the struggling Red Sox.
The Phils have played well without Rollins in the lineup, so having him back will make them that much better. Juan Castro and Wilson Valdez have performed admirably, but neither has been able to replicate Jimmy’s offense.
Rollins has only played in seven games this year, but he was on a tear to kick the season off (before hurting his calf), hitting .391 with three doubles, a triple, a home run, three RBI, two stolen bases, and an OBP of .516.
Shane Victorino, who has been the target of recent trade speculation, has been batting well in Rollins’s place at the top of lineup, but being able to move him back to the seven-hole will give the Phils back some speed at the bottom of the order.
And with Carlos Ruiz hitting the way he’s been behind him, it could mean a much better offense all-around for the Phils.
However, the Phils better be 100 percent positive he’s healed up and ready to go. Valdez and Castro have been playing well enough, so there’s no reason to rush him back and risk another injury that could knock him out for the season.
Some injuries won’t get worse simply by playing, but a calf strain will. If he has not fully recuperated, playing again could strain the muscle even worse or, worst-case scenario, he could tear the muscle entirely; Which could not only mean an end to his season, but his career if the tear was serious enough.
A lot of Rollins’s game is predicated on being able to run and making the opposing pitcher fear him while he’s on base; If he can’t run the bases, then he’s of no use to the team anyway.
The original reports said Rollins might not be able to come back before the end of the month, but now that he is expected back next week it makes me think the team might be rushing him back a week or two too soon.
Cutting two weeks off the expected time of return is difficult to do, so hopefully it just means that he truly is ready to get back in the lineup and not a move the Phils live to regret come September and (fingers crossed) late October/early November.
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