GaryMrMets
06-01-2004, 03:09 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s053104b.htm
Rollins skips start after tweaking ankle in warmups
Monday, May 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins would have batted leadoff for the Phillies Sunday, and until about 10 minutes before game time, he was looking forward to the task.
It was about then that Rollins, performing sprints prior to the Phillies' 4-1 win over Atlanta, felt pain from a contusion suffered the day before when he fouled a ball off his right ankle.
That forced manager Larry Bowa to make a last-minute change, playing Tomas Perez at shortstop and moving center fielder Marlon Byrd from eighth to first in the order.
"He took ground balls and did all his work," Bowa said. "When he tried to sprint, he couldn't go."
Bowa had intended on replacing the struggling Byrd in the leadoff spot, informing Rollins after Saturday's game. Rollins is hitting .242 in a largely streaky season, but is 5-for-13 in his last three games.
"When I came to the ballpark, I was like, `Yeah!' " Rollins said. "Up until right before the game, it was fine. What may have happened was, I took batting practice and was running around, and then with the time off in between, it got sore."
Rollins said he pulled himself out to avoid the possibility of leaving the game after one inning. He was available as a pinch-hitter, but as he joked, "I could've hit one into the gap and ended up with a single."
The already injury-depleted Phillies are hoping it's just a minor injury, but Rollins won't know about his availability for today's game until he arrives at the ballpark.
Le workhorse: With his 2/3-inning appearance Sunday, left-hander Rheal Cormier worked his third straight game and seventh in the Phillies' last eight contests.
"If there's one guy we've gone to the well on, it's Cormier," Bowa said. "He's a guy we've got to keep an eye on."
Bowa would have stayed away from Cormier Sunday, but the veteran reliever said he could pitch. He has not given up a run in any of his last seven outings, a span of 5 1/3 innings.
"I thought I felt strong enough that I could go," he said. "It's just one of those things, if you pitch a lot, you just try to condition yourself so that you'll be strong at the end of the season."
Phillies fodder: With two home runs Sunday, by David Bell and Jim Thome, the Phillies broke the franchise record for most home runs in May, increasing their total to 37. The previous record of 36 was set in 1999. . . . Right-hander Josh Hancock will be called up from Class-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Thursday's game in Atlanta in place of Vicente Padilla, who was placed on the disabled list on Saturday. A roster move will be made prior to the game. . . . Right-hander Brian Powell, on the DL since May 19 with a neck strain, will begin a rehab assignment with Scranton today, pitching two innings. He is expected to make at least three appearances over the next 10 days.
Rollins skips start after tweaking ankle in warmups
Monday, May 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins would have batted leadoff for the Phillies Sunday, and until about 10 minutes before game time, he was looking forward to the task.
It was about then that Rollins, performing sprints prior to the Phillies' 4-1 win over Atlanta, felt pain from a contusion suffered the day before when he fouled a ball off his right ankle.
That forced manager Larry Bowa to make a last-minute change, playing Tomas Perez at shortstop and moving center fielder Marlon Byrd from eighth to first in the order.
"He took ground balls and did all his work," Bowa said. "When he tried to sprint, he couldn't go."
Bowa had intended on replacing the struggling Byrd in the leadoff spot, informing Rollins after Saturday's game. Rollins is hitting .242 in a largely streaky season, but is 5-for-13 in his last three games.
"When I came to the ballpark, I was like, `Yeah!' " Rollins said. "Up until right before the game, it was fine. What may have happened was, I took batting practice and was running around, and then with the time off in between, it got sore."
Rollins said he pulled himself out to avoid the possibility of leaving the game after one inning. He was available as a pinch-hitter, but as he joked, "I could've hit one into the gap and ended up with a single."
The already injury-depleted Phillies are hoping it's just a minor injury, but Rollins won't know about his availability for today's game until he arrives at the ballpark.
Le workhorse: With his 2/3-inning appearance Sunday, left-hander Rheal Cormier worked his third straight game and seventh in the Phillies' last eight contests.
"If there's one guy we've gone to the well on, it's Cormier," Bowa said. "He's a guy we've got to keep an eye on."
Bowa would have stayed away from Cormier Sunday, but the veteran reliever said he could pitch. He has not given up a run in any of his last seven outings, a span of 5 1/3 innings.
"I thought I felt strong enough that I could go," he said. "It's just one of those things, if you pitch a lot, you just try to condition yourself so that you'll be strong at the end of the season."
Phillies fodder: With two home runs Sunday, by David Bell and Jim Thome, the Phillies broke the franchise record for most home runs in May, increasing their total to 37. The previous record of 36 was set in 1999. . . . Right-hander Josh Hancock will be called up from Class-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Thursday's game in Atlanta in place of Vicente Padilla, who was placed on the disabled list on Saturday. A roster move will be made prior to the game. . . . Right-hander Brian Powell, on the DL since May 19 with a neck strain, will begin a rehab assignment with Scranton today, pitching two innings. He is expected to make at least three appearances over the next 10 days.