According to a report by Philadelphia Daily News reporter David Murphy, Philadelphia Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel announced on a Sirius XM satellite radio show Wednesday morning that shortstop Jimmy Rollins suffered what Manuel is calling “between a Grade 2 and 1″ calf injury that will sideline him for the forseeable future. That was confirmed in a press release Wednesday afternoon by general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.
Rollins underwent an MRI on Tuesday after suffering the injury during pregame warmups before the Phillies’ home opener on Monday. Amaro announced that they were placing Rollins on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 13.
“We believe it to be a mild to moderate strain and we’re hopeful it will be a two-to-four week recovery,” said Amaro. “As in all of our injuries, precautions will be taken so that Jimmy is 100% when he returns to the field.”
The news comes as a blow to the Phillies, who, along with their shortstop, are off to one of the best starts in their history. The Phillies, notoriously bad in April, lead the majors in almost every offensive category, are the only team in the majors with only one loss and their new ace pitcher, Roy Halladay, was named the National League Player of the Week for the first week of the season.
Rollins, who has often been criticized as being a poor leadoff hitter, is having the best start of his 11 year career. In 23 at bats so far this season, Rollins has nine hits, including three doubles and a triple, a batting average of .391 and a .516 on base percentage, both well above his career average. Rollins already has seven walks, but has only struck out twice. The former MVP had only 44 walks all of last season.
Juan Castro will start at shortstop while Rollins is on the disabled list and likely bat eighth in the lineup. Centerfielder Shane Victorino, who had been batting sixth, will lead off.
Infielder Wilson Valdez has been called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
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