Rollins Sidelined by Calf Injury

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins still feels tightness in his strained right calf and says it could be the end of the month before he returns to the lineup.

Rollins has been on the disabled since April 14 during warmups before Philadelphia's home opener. Rollins said before Sunday's game against the Mets he'd like to be back in two weeks.

“I've pulled a muscle, I've strained my groin a little, but not something like this where you feel like somebody shot you. That's different,” Rollins said.

“I've never been in that situation. They said two to four weeks and they weren't talking about being healthy; they were talking about determining what the next step would be. It's probably pretty accurate, unfortunately.”

The three-time All-Star says he still feels tightness when he moves to his left fielding groundballs. Rollins also feels the calf acting up when he shuffles side-to-side.

The 31-year-old leadoff hitter was off to a hot start, hitting .391 and scoring eight runs in seven games. Rollins was also showing more patience at the plate, drawing seven walks.

He doesn't know when he'll try and run.

“Once we get past jogging, we'll progress,” he said. “Until then, I don't have a set date.”

The Phillies also said that Joe Blanton will make his first start of the season against St. Louis on Monday. Blanton has been on the disabled list while recovering from an oblique strain in spring training.

The Phillies will have to make a move before Monday's game to make room for Blanton on the roster. Kyle Kendrick will get the TBA start on Wednesday against the Cardinals.