Calf Strain Could Cost Phils Shortstop Rollins Month Of Action

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The Philadelphia Phillies will have to adjust their lineup for a while after placing All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 13 with a strained right calf.

The three-time All-Star hurt himself during warmups before Monday’s home opener against the Nationals.

An MRI exam Tuesday revealed the 31-year-old leadoff hitter sustained a Grade 1/Grade 2 strain of the right calf.

The team is hoping that the recovery period would take from two-to-four weeks for Rollins, who is believed to have sustained a mild to moderate strain, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement.

Although each case is different, the Phillies will have to cope for at least a month without Rollins, who is off to a hot start. In seven contests, the 2007 NL MVP is hitting .391 and scored eight runs.

It will mark the first time since 2008 that Rollins will spend time on DL. He nearly missed a month that year due to an ankle injury.

As a result, the Phillies recalled infielder Wilson Valdez from Class AAA Lehigh Valley (Pa.) to fill the roster spot.

Replacing Rollins at shortstop will be Juan Castro, while center fielder Shane Victorino will move into the leadoff spot in the batting order.

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