Friday, March 25, 2011
Posted: 5:27 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco looked mystified as he sat in front of his locker and inspected his left elbow late Friday afternoon.
Polanco had just returned to the lineup, playing three innings against the Braves, after sitting out eight games with a hyperextended left elbow.
Its still a little sore, he said. Im surprised. Im disappointed. Talking to the trainers, its something manageable. Its not hard to treat. Well keep an eye on it.
Polanco, 35, shook his head.
I feel great, he said softly. My legs feel great. My back feels great.
MLB
He flexed his elbow.
Its just thishe said.
His voice trailed off.
Polanco had offseason surgery on the elbow to remove a bone spur and fix some tendon damage. He aggravated the elbow taking a swing on March 15.
They say after you have surgery theres a thickness in the joint that pinches the nerve, he said. You have to keep stretching it.
Polanco was hitless in two at-bats Friday. He was scheduled to rest Saturday and expects to play Sunday through Wednesday in preparation for opening day.
With Brad Lidge and Chase Utley set to open the season on the disabled list, Polancos condition isnt the worst bit of Phillies health news. But its far from good.
Castillo improving
Luis Castillo took a major step forward in his bid to win the primary second basemans job as he had a single, two walks and a run scored in Fridays 3-1 win over Atlanta. Castillo had four assists and turned a double play.
He played good defense, manager Charlie Manuel said. He showed quick hands at second turning a double play.
Up next
The Phils play split-squad games Saturday at home against Toronto and at Lakeland against Detroit.
Kyle Kendrick will oppose Torontos Kyle Drabek in Clearwater. Minor leaguer Ryan Feierabend will start in Lakeland.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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