Shane Victorino still plans to fly to Phoenix for the All-Star Game, and he still plans to participate in all the pre-game festivities, and he still plans to sit in the National League dugout and cheer on his teammates.
He just wont be able to play.
Definitely going to go, Victorino said Friday afternoon. I dont want to waste everybodys efforts and not go. Definitely thank everybody again, the fans. Being the first guy ever selected twice by the final ballot, its definitely an honor. Definitely want to go out there and put my Phillies uniform on and represent the Phillies at the All-Star Game. But unfortunately, wont be playing.
The Phillies placed Victorino on the 15-day disabled list Friday, one day after he was added to the N.L. All-Star team after winning the fan balloting for the second time in three years.
Victorino, who initially thought his right thumb injury would only keep him on the shelf for a few days, was placed on the D.L. retroactive to July 4.
The swellings definitely gotten better, the motions definitely gotten better, but I cant really hold a bat and throw or anything, Victorino said. Cant really do it. I tried today when I walked in, but it wasnt very friendly.
The Phillies will be without Victorino until at least July 19, when the Phillies are in Chicago to face the Cubs.
MLB
Three days ago, I was definitely optimistic, Victorino said in the Phillies clubhouse before Game 1 of the Phils three-game N.L. East showdown with the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. I felt like it was getting better every day, and the swelling was going down, so I thought, OK, maybe just a couple more days.
But thats why you take these MRIs. My body might feel one thing, but medically, it showed something else.
Victorino, who leads the Phillies with a .303 average, 53 runs scored and nine triples, said he definitely will not need surgery to repair the injury.
Victorino got hurt when he tumbled to the ground in the Phillies loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto Sunday after catching a fly ball hit by Juan Rivera.
Definitely an embarrassing fall, Victorino said. But just one of those things that happened. A freak accident.
The Phillies brought up Pete Orr to replace Victorino on the roster. Orr hit ,.230 in 61 at-bats in 26 games with the Phillies earlier this year. Orr is hitting .257 in 580 at-bats in parts of six seasons with the Braves, Nationals and Phillies.
Manager Charlie Manuels lineup for Friday evening has John Mayberry Jr. batting second and starting in Victorinos center-field spot.
I wanted to come back and play, but the result showed something different than what we had initially thought, Victorino said. The result showed a partial tear and ... the doctors felt like it was going to be a good amount of time, the two weeks, as long as 15 days that was needed, so why not make that decision instead of having me around and not having any benefit of being there. Get Petey up here and help us win.
For the second time in three years, Victorino won the so-called Final Vote fan voting to make the National League All-Star team. Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier, who finished second in fan voting, was named to replace Victorino.
Victorino said hes hoping to play a couple rehab games before his 15 days are up.
Hopefully, Ill be ready early and get as many games in as I can before Im able to come up, he said.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com