The bad news is that Jim Thome is dealing with another back injury.
The good news is that as long as hes out, its only a .111 hitter that the Phillies are missing.
Thome is just 2-for-18 in his second stint with the Philies, and manager Charlie Manager acknowledged Monday before Game 4 of the Phillies-Cubs series at Citizens Bank Park that the transition from regular to pinch-hitter has been very difficult for the likely future Hall of Famer.
Thome has 604 home runs and a .277 career batting average, but hes now 41 years old, and for the first time in his career, hes little more than a role player. For a guy who had 324 plate appearances last year with the Twins and Indians and whos averaged 482 plate appearances in 21 full major-league seasons, its a very difficult transition.
Its going to be hard for him, Manuel said. You never know when he might walk up there and catch one, and if the right situation is involved, he puts a swing on a ball, usually hes going to move it. Thats the upside to it.
Manuel initially hoped Thome could play once a week at first base, the position he was an All-Star at five times from 1996 through 2007, including 2004 with the Phils. With Ryan Howard out and Jon Mayberry hitting .208 with just two RBIs, Manuel hoped to get bump up Thomes playing time at first to help him get into an offensive rhythm.
Thome has struck out 10 times in 18 at-bats and doesnt have an RBI.
MLB
He has to get enough at-bats where he does stay sharp enough, Manuel said. That can be tough. I can tell you right now, if you get 50 to 100 at-bats during the course of all year, youre not going to hit nothing. You might hit .150. If you hit .200 youll be lucky.
But those hits you get might win some games or tie some games up for you, which is OK.
Thome started his fourth game of the season Saturday and promptly got hurt. Why is Manuel so intent on getting Thome some starts? Hes 0-for-8 pinch-hitting this year with eight strikeouts and .219 in his career with 58 strikeouts in 128 at-bats.
Manuel conceded that Thome will always struggle as a pinch-hitter because of his big swing.
He takes a big stride, and he takes a cut, he takes a hard, quick cut, and youve got to get your timing, he said. Theres got to be some kind of timing. The ideal pinch hitter is usually a short guy, whos got a short, quick swing and hes a singles hitter. Thats the ideal.
But at the same time, in the National League, you need a guy with power, a big guy sitting on the bench over there who can take one swing and tie or win a game for you, too. That can be very important. So Thomes the guy that if he hits a couple for you pinch-hitting ... youve got a good chance of winning the game.
Manuel said he didnt have an injury update before Mondays game on Thome, who left the Phillies-Cubs game Saturday after hurting his lower back while sliding into second and didnt play Sunday. Thome has a long history of back problems.
You never know when its going to tighten up on him, Manuel said. He can go quite a while and it not flare up on him, but it can happen. Thats kind of what it is.
J-Roll Still Leading Off
Manuel has Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff spot Monday night for a third straight game after Rollins hit third the first 19 games of the season.
J-Roll went 16-for-74 (.216) with just three RBIs in the three-hole. Hes 2-for-7 with two RBIs already batting leadoff. Overall, Rollins is hitting .222 with no home-runs and just five RBIs.
I wouldnt say Ive abandoned it, but I thought Id give him a different look, Manuel said. I thought it was time for him to put him back in the one-hole. I dont know if hes had a different approach hitting third. I know sometimes -- and Im not saying it happened to Jimmy -- but put a guy in the third hole, he can try too hard to knock runs in. ... Im trying to find the best way to find some balance in the lineup so we can score some runs.
Base-running Blunders
Manuel said hes concerned with Juan Pierres base-running mishaps but said he wants Pierre to stay aggressive on the base paths.
If I take the green light off of him ... that sends a pretty big message, he said. That sends him a message ... that I dont think he can run. I definitely dont want to do that. We definitely want to keep him thinking about being able to steal a bag. ...
We definitely cant afford to make mental mistakes is what really bothers me more than a physical mistake. You make a physical mistake by hustling and knowing how to play and whats supposed to be done. A mental mistake is not being heads up in the game or not knowing what youre doing.
Phillies Feast on Volstad
The Phillies, 27th in the majors at 3.2 runs per game, face Cubs righty Chris Volstad on Monday night. Volstad is 0-8 with a 4.59 in his last 15 starts going back to last year with the Marlins and hasnt won a game in nine months. Volstad is 0-3 with a 6.14 this year.
Phillies Lineup
6 Jimmy Rollins
5 Placido Polanco
8 Shane Victorino
9 Juan Pierre
3 Ty Wigginton
7 Laynce Nix
2 Carlos Ruiz
4 Pete Orr
1 Vance Worley
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.