Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Posted: 6 p.m.Updated: 11:13 p.m.
By John R. Finger
CSNPhilly.com
MIAMIEven though outfielder John Mayberry rejoined the Phillies in time for Tuesday nights game against the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium, manager Charlie Manuel will again be down a man on his bench.
This time its Shane Victorino who will be absent from the team because he is in Philadelphia where he was expected to see hand specialist Dr. Randall Culp about his swollen thumb. Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said Victorino had a Grade I sprain of his thumb. Proefrock added that the team would decide whether another trip to the disabled list was necessary within 48 hours.
Victorino already has been on the disabled list once this season with a calf injury.
I know his hand is swollen up, manager Charlie Manuel said. He has a jammed thumb. He can't grip the ball. And it's hard to grip the bat, of course. They wanted to run some tests and see if something was wrong with it.
Michael Martinez started in center and hit second against the Marlins.
MLB
Victorino jammed his right thumb when he fell during Sundays game in Toronto. The thumb was badly swollen on Monday and Victorino wore a sleeve over the injury and was kept out of Mondays lineup. He was administered a few tests after the injury occurred, which returned negative. However, when the swelling did not subside, the team sent Victorino back to Philly.
There was some talk about Victorino returning to Miami for Wednesdays game, but the extent of the injury is still unknown.
Will he miss some time? Probably. How much? I don't know, Manuel said. I don't think its going to be a whole lot. I say that sometimes and the guy goes from two weeks to six months. Well see.
Meanwhile, Victorino got a strong endorsement in his campaign in the fan Internet balloting to choose the final member of the All-Star teams on Tuesday. Recently retired NBA legend Shaquille ONeal announced via Twitter that he was supporting the Phillies centerfielder.
Shaq tweeted:
vote 4 my man shane victorino 2 be in da allstar game pleas thank you atmlb.comVictorino.
Of course the campaign could be for naught if Victorino is unable to play in next Tuesdays All-Star Game in Phoenix.
Polanco hurting
The same goes for Placido Polanco, too. Elected to be the starting third baseman for the National League, Polanco asked out of the lineup for Tuesday nights game because his ailing back was giving him more trouble, according to Manuel.
He said it was hurting a little bit, Manuel said. It comes and goes. He has a lot of aches and pains. Hes not hitting well right now. He also think its affecting his swing. I thought it was a good time to get him rested.
Polanco is batting just .216 since May 1 and does not have a hit in his last 15 at-bats. However, Polanco batted .398 with a club-record 41 hits in April to spur the early vote. For now at least, Polanco still has Manuels blessing to play in the All-Star Game.
Lee pitcher of the month
Joining Polancoand possibly Victorinoin Phoenix will be Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, who was named the National League pitcher of the month for June.
Lee went 5-0 last month with major-league leading 0.21 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. He also threw three straight shutouts and 34 consecutive scoreless innings. He will be making his third All-Star Game appearance and his first as a National Leaguer.
During June, Lee became the first NL starter to toss three straight shutouts since Brandon Webb did so for Arizona in 2007. He also become the first Phillies pitcher to throw three straight shutouts since Robin Roberts in 1950. Additionally, Lee threw 34 straight scoreless innings in June, for the second-longest streak in franchise history, topped only by Grover Cleveland Alexanders 41 straight innings in 1911.
Lidge and Madson throw
Disabled reliever Ryan Madson threw a bullpen session on Tuesday afternoon in Miami and checked out of it OK, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. Madson will throw again on Thursday and could get into some minor-league rehab outings over the All-Star break.
The Phillies expect Madson back when the season resumes on July 15.
Proefrock also said the reports on closer Brad Lidge were good from his first minor-league outing on Monday night. Pitching for Single A Lakewood, Lidge started the game and pitched one inning, allowing two hits and no runs without a walk or strikeout. According to reports, Lidge threw his fastball approximately 88 mph.
The team has not said when Lidge will pitch next.
Related: Worley, Phillies grab shutout win over MarlinsAll-Stars could use extra rest