There's a great scene in "Hoosiers" where Gene Hackman's character tries to quiet the crowd chanting for a player who is not on the team.

His character, coach Norman Dale, says confidently, "This is YOUR team."

Although fans might be in a state if panic after both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco were placed on the DL today, the team hasn't packed up the equipment and left the field. They're still playing and still confident they can win.

"Quite frankly, we have a bunch of good players on this team -- four guys who were All-Stars last year, a couple former MVPs, a former Cy Young Award winner, a couple 20-game winners, a World Series MVP," Assistant GM Scott Proefock said. "The cupboard is not bare. We're still a good team."

That said, the Phils will surely be looking to upgrade - via trade, free agency - in the next few days. But they'll know how aggressive they should be after both Utley and Polanco are run through tests tomorrow in Philly.

The Phillies All-Star infield will be cut in half through the All-Star break.

Both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco were placed on the DL today.

Utley sprained the ulnar collateral ligament of his right thumb on Monday night. Polanco continues to have left elbow inflammation.

To replace the two All-Stars, the Phils have called up two IronPigs. Greg Dobbs and Brian Bocock will join the team today in Cincinnati.

No word on how long Utley will remain out. Head trainer Scott Sheridan told a Phillies team spokesman he doesn't know that right now, either.


The Phils currently have seven players on the disabled list, including three of their regular, starting eight: Polanco, Utley, Carlos Ruiz (concussion), Ryan Madson (toe), Chad Durbin (hamstring), J.A. Happ (forearm) and Antonio Bastardo (elbow).


Utley would be eligible to return on Thursday, July 15, when the Phils begin the second half of the season at Wrigley Field. Of course, the severity of the injury could keep him out longer.

Polanco's DL stint is backdated to June 26 - the last time he played in a game - meaning he would be eligible to come back on the Sunday before the All-Star Game. But the team would undoubtedly wait to activate him until after the break.


No word on if either of the All-Star infielders will require surgery. Polanco has hinted that his elbow might need to be looked at surgically after the season; but the Phils could take care of that now, too, depending on how long it takes.

Ruben Amaro Jr. will no doubt be scanning the waiver wires and trade rumor mills in search for some infield help, much like he did in acquiring Tadahito Iguchi in '07.

In Chase Utley and Placido Polanco, the Phillies have two of the most consistent, reliable hitters in baseball. Really, they have the luxury of two No.3-hole hitters on one team.

But after Utley's right thumb injury Monday night (still no word on the severity - should know in another 2 hours) and with Polanco still nursing a left elbow injury that won't go away, that former luxury is now two gaping holes in a lineup that can't get healthy.

So what's next? Well, that all depends on the severity of Utley's injury. If he's only out for a few days or even a 15-day DL stint, they can't find a way to get by. If he's out for longer, they're going to need to pull a Tadahito Iguchi. (Surely you remember when they traded Rich Dubee's kid away to get Iguchi when Utley hurt his wrist a few years ago).

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported that the team was expected to place both Utley and Polanco on the DL today.

But Polanco's status could make a trade like that one even more necessary. I got a phone call this morning from a well-placed person in Philly who was told Polanco was spotted at Citizens Bank Park today.

Interesting, huh?

Since it's a second hand source, who knows if there's any validity to it. But Charlie Manue said Monday he preferred for them to "get him well, where this doesn't keep re-occurring."

So is it possible the Phillies would open up Polly's elbow, clean out/fix bone spurs? I guess. If it's something that can be taken care of and get him back on the field in a few short weeks, the luxury of the All-Star break might help.

And with Utley's availability for the long term unknown, and Jimmy Rollins' right calf still an unknown for the duration of the season, you better believe the injury-plagued Phillies are examining all options.

It's difficult to look around baseball - and especially the National League East - and not take notice of all the young, promising talent. Every team in the Phillies division has a rookie making waves: Stephen Strasburg in Washington, Mike Stanton in Florida, Ike Davis in New York and Jason Heyward in Atlanta.

The NL Rookie of the Year competition should be fun. But all of those guys breaking in now might mean an easier path to the 2011 ROY trophy for the Phillies' top minor leaguer next summer.

As first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies top prospect is one step closer to the major leagues: outfielder Domonic Brown was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley Friday.

The 22-year-old Brown has had a whale of a half season at Double-A. In 65 games, Brown his .318 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs. He was also 12-for-18 in stole base attempts.

Brown received a similar promotion in the middle of last summer, spending half a season at Class A Clearwater before being sent to Double-A Reading.

"There wasn't any set time table, but I don't think there any question we wanted him to play along enough to get his feet on the ground and show he can handle that level on a consistent basis, which he did," said Phillies assistant GM Chuck LaMar.

LaMar said Brown is expected to join Lehigh Valley tonight in Durham. Brown's home debut at Coca Cola Stadium would come Tuesday, when the IronPigs host Rochester.

"I think what has impressed us the most is the way he's gone about business," LaMar said. "He was up in major league camp (in spring training) and sometimes that can affect a young man; but he played extremely hard in every opportunity he got in major league camp.

"Sometimes a guy can have a transition period after being sent out of major league camp, and he had none of that. He came to minor league camp knowing he still had work to do, knowing he was still a prospect with a lot to prove.

"He went to work form Day One after being sent down and continued that thought process going into the Double-A season."


When asked about a possible September call-up to the big leagues for Brown, LaMar said the organization hasn't discussed that yet. Which means he didn't say it will happen - but he didn't rule it out, either.

Brown, who turns 23 in September, will join fellow Phillies propsect Jarred Cosart, a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher, at the Futures All-Star Game in Anaheim next month.

One of the stories that got away from the paper on a busy day at the ballpark that began with a handful of roster moves - including the dismissal of Greg Dobbs - and ended with a curious end-game decision by Charlie Manuel - J.C. Romero, not Brad Lidge, was brought out to begin the ninth inning - was the status of Jimmy Rollins.

Sure, we know he was activated. He was back at his spot at the top of the lineup.

He finished 0-for-4 and made a couple of brilliant plays at shortstop.

But the question still left unanswered is whether Rollins has kicked the right calf ailment for good. He has played in 12 of the Phillies' 68 games this season.

How many more will he miss? Will the injury creep back up and land him back on the DL for the third time at some point?

Here's a little of what Rollins had to say postgame:

Feel like the speed of the game returned?
"It was a lot easier. Mentally I think I was better prepared because I feel like I’m more repaired. I feel like I could keep up."

How were you better prepared?
"Just feeling better, going through my exercises and rehab stuff. Feel like I could pretty much do anything. Still haven’t tried to steal a base yet, but that will come. That’s the other thing I haven’t tried to do. Other than that, I feel good. I’ll steal a base whenever I feel im ready."

Did you do rehab differently?
I did some different things this time, yeah, so hopefully it worked.

Rushed back last time?
"I didn’t feel like I rushed back last time. I went 10-12 days without feeling any pain at all. The trick is if you feel like something’s there, then it’s probably there and then you’re probably not to go out there the way anyone would need to play this game. This time I haven’t felt anything and that’s a lot easier mentally."

Did you ever have an MRI?
"It happened. I got one before rehab games. I just wanted to get it done before I started doing anything as far as baseball activities go. I went down to Fla and got an MRI and I didn’t get a grade. He was like, well, it’s looking better, so that tells me that they’re probably still seeing something, but it’s not as body. I’m going to really listen to my body and not play through it."

Concerned about where you guys are in the standings?
"Am I concerned about the standings? No not at all. Of course, are we where we want to be? No, not at all. You have to make it up one game at a time. We’ve done it before, I guess we’ll have to do it again."

Any one thing that felt like a test tonight?
"I didn’t think about it at all. I thought about it more warming up . I was like I gotta get through warm-ups. I got through that and I was like I can run another sprint. But last time I ran another sprint I blew it, so I’ll save it. Once the game started it wasn’t on my mind at all and it wasn’t on my mind in Clearwater because I hadn’t felt it at all."


Like everyone else, Rollins doesn't know if it will reoccur. But you better believe every eye in the ballpark - for the rest of this homestand and beyond - will watch cautiously as the irreplaceable leadoff hitter legs out singles and the Gold Gloved shortstop tracks down a hard grounder in the hole.

The good news for Phillies fans: Jimmy Rollins is back leading off and playing shortstop.

The bad news: Carlos Ruiz did suffer a concussion Friday and the team placed him on the DL.

The surprising news: Although Ruiz going onto the DL opened up a roster spot for Rollins, the Phils needed another pitcher (catcher Dane Sardinha, after all, took RHP Scott Mathieson's spot over the weekend). So the Phillies opted to call up left-hander Mike Zagurski, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2007, and designated veteran pinch hitter Greg Dobbs for assignment.

Dobbs was hitting just .152 with one home run and six RBIs in 42 games this season. Dobbs, who set the Phillies record for pinch hits with 22 in 2008, hit .127 (10-for-79) as a pinch hitter in each of the last two seasons.

The Phillies preferred the flexibility and defense fellow reserves Juan Castro and Wilson Valdez bring to the bench, especially with the thought that Rollins' calf injury could continue to be an issue all season.

"It was a very difficult decision," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. He was a very, very productive player for us in the last several years, he helped us win a World Series, he helped us get back to the World Series. It's hard. That role is not an easy role. It's a bit of a roller coaster ride. I lived it myself.

"He had not been getting as many at-bats to stay as sharp as he was in other years. He created some opportunity (before) with the way he played. (But) we had players on the field that we thought were more productive players and he wasn't getting the chance to play as much... I think he can still be a productive player for us but he hadn't been as productive as he has in the past and we felt like we needed some protection with Jimmy in case there was another issue that could occur in regard to his injury."

The Phillies have 10 days to move the contract - they can trade him, release him or - if he clears waivers - send Dobbs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Scott Mathieson last played in the major leagues in 2006.

In the four years since, he has underdone Tommy John surgery - twice.

He'll make his comeback to the major leagues at one of the most historic neighborhoods (can't say stadium anymore) in baseball. Mathieson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley today.

The Phillies needed a reliever because Antonio Bastardo was placed on the disabled list with left elbow ulnar neuritis.

Bastardo was 0-0 with a 5.11 ERA in 16 appearances for the Phils. He gave up two runs in 2/3 of an inning two nights ago against the Yankees.

The 26-year-old Mathieson was 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 12 saves in 25 games at Lehigh. Mathieson struck out 34 while walking 12 in 29 2/3 innings.

It must be that time of year.

You know, the every-three-months, made-up Pedro Martinez "news."

A credible, widely-read news organization has a headline right now that reads, "Phillies talk to Martinez about second half return."

It's the top baseball story on this "world-wide sports leader's" website.

Here's the thing: none of this is news. Amaro made the same "we've talked to Pedro" comments three months ago at the end of spring training, when Joe Blanton injured his oblique.

They've kept a dialogue with Martinez. It hasn't gone any further than that.

If anything, Amaro downplayed any "Pedro could return" talk Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.


Here's a rundown on the Pedro-related questions:

Q: Have you talked to Pedro:
A: "I've talked to his agent a couple of times, but if I were a betting man, I would not necessarily count on him, but that does not rule the possibility out."

Q: Have you seen him throw?
A: I have not seen Pedro in a long time.

Q: Active talks with Pedro?
A: We're not negotiating.


So if that sounds like Pedro Martinez is bound for a flight to Philly, well.... you need some help in the reading comprehension department. Also interesting on how the aforementioned, widely-read story left out the "if I were a betting man" quote.

You know, we don't want to rain on anyone's Pedro parade or anything, I guess...

Ruben Amaro Jr. came to New York today. He did not travel with the team to Boston.

If you want to read into that as the general manager arriving on the scene as the wheels continue to spin off his reeling baseball team, go right ahead.

The GM's words would back that belief.

Amaro spent over a dozen minutes seated in the visiting dugout during batting practice on Tuesday talking about his struggling squad. More than once, he said a trade wasn't the remedy to what ails the Phillies.

Here's part of his "we'll be just fine" diatribe.

"We’re not making any major moves. This is our team right here. We’ll be fine. As long as the guys are healthy, we’ll be fine.

"We’re not making any major moves. This is our team out here. They’ll be fine. Once we get guys healthy, we’ll be fine. The guys have track records. They’re good players. They’re championship caliber players and they will be again.

"That’s my opinion. Those guys are very good hitters, very good offensive players. They’re struggling, some of them, and for us to have success, we just need to have them play better, and they will.

"I don’t know if there is anybody better the players that….the best nine…I think we have one of the best nine in the game. I’ll challenge anybody if they don’t think we have one of the best nine in the game."

It's an absolutely beautiful June afternoon in the Bronx.

In a few short hours, all eyes will be on the rematch of the 2009 World Series: Phillies vs. Yankees.

It would be difficult to design a better pitching matchup to get the festivities underway: Roy Halladay vs. CC Sabathia.

But while the focus, hype and hoopla might be on those equally-gifted arms and on the plights of the two teams since the Fall Classic (the Yankees just catapulted into a tie for 1st place, the Phils have dropped 14 of their last 20), the story within the story is just how awful defending NL champs' offense has been in the last month.

Sunday's win may have helped everyone forget about their struggles - they strung together five straight hits for four runs off Tim Wakefield in the fourth inning - it was more a blip on a radar of offensive ineffectiveness.


Let's break down the four biggest problems in the lineup:


CHASE UTLEY - He's hitting .256 – lower than he has hit this late in a season at any point in his career. He has just one hit in his last 12 at-bats. He is hitting .153 (11-for-72) with three extra base hits – but no home runs – in his last 20 games.



CARLOS RUIZ - He's hitless in his last 19 at-bats. Ruiz, whose .354 average ranked third in the National League in hitting on May 12, has hit just .164 with two RBIs in the 21 games since. His last hit came over a week ago, in the Phillies 6-2 win over the San Diego Padres on June 5.


JAYSON WERTH - Since May 23, a span of 16 games, he is hitting .148. He has one home run, five RBIs and 22 strikeouts in that time span. Going back even further, in a five-week period beginning May 8, a 30-game span, Werth is hitting .202. His average has plummeted 79 points in that time span, from .359 to .280.


RAUL IBANEZ - He has showed more signs of coming awake offensively then the previous three, collecting at least one hit in five of his last six games. But Ibanez is hitting just .247 on the season (he was batting .322 this time last year). Ibanez is batting .229 since May 28 with three extra-base hits in 14 games.


When I found my seat in the press box this afternoon, all of those four players were among the Phillies taking early batting practice, a full five hours before game time. The jury is still out whether it will help them get going an end a seemingly endless, collective free fall at the plate.

Charlie Manuel doesn't like when people tell him what to do.

He most certainly doesn't like it when scrawny reporters who haven't played an inning of professional baseball suggest that one of his star players might be best served with a day off occasionally. The subject recently crept up earlier this week, concerning Ryan Howard (who has played every inning of every game this year).

Manuel's point is always this: his team has had a lot of success in the last few years with the play-the-best-players-everyday philosophy.


But Chase Utley might be an exception. While Utley is definitely built like an athlete, he is more the Cole Hamels to Ryan Howard's Roy Halladay (translation: he's not THAT big and his body type could lend toward getting worn down easier).

Utley definitely puts the work in to stay in shape; but he also plays a style unlike anyone else on the team. He is going at max effort all the time, diving and sliding in the field and on the base paths, busting it down the base line on a routine infield ground out.

Before the season Manuel even talked about resting Utley more. But that was apparently all bark, no bite.

Since Utley has struggled of late - and had brutal numbers last September - I decided to see what his numbers have looked liked in the last 162 games (a season's worth of games, if you will).

I was surprised by the power, honestly. But the batting average is right around what I would have expected, almost 25 points lower than his career average.


Utley in last 162 games: .270 (163-603), 29 HR, 83 RBIs.


I didn't dig too much deeper than that, but my guess is his Slugging and On-base and a lot of other numbers are down, too.

Evidence that he needs more time off? Maybe. Maybe not.

But something definitely worth thinking about.





*one footnote: with the offense struggling like it has been, Manuel has probably been reluctant to rest Utley since fellow middle infielder Jimmy Rollins (right calf) is already out of the lineup. A middle infield combo of Castro-Valdez probably isn't too appealing when Manuel is drawing up a lineup to score runs.

FROM MLB:


Atlanta Braves rookie Jason Heyward has soared from fifth place last week to second this week to join the leading outfielders in the third N.L. balloting update for the 81st All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim .

The 20-year-old Heyward has garnered 1,008,451 votes, the most ever by a rookie after the third balloting tally, exceeding the 969,853 votes for Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto through three updates in 2008. Ken Griffey Jr. was the only player younger than Heyward to be selected by the fans in All-Star balloting when he was named a starter in 1990 at 20 years, eight months old. Jason, who received the National League Rookie of the Month Award presented by Gillette for both April and May, is closing in on Ryan Braun (1,017,266) of the Milwaukee Brewers for the top outfield spot. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier, who has received 985,305 votes, rounds out the outfield, while Philadelphia Phillies teammates Jayson Werth (901,978) and Shane Victorino (819,756) remain close behind.

Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins is seeking to become the first N.L. shortstop to start three straight All-Star Games since Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith started 10 consecutive contests from 1983-1992. Ramirez has totaled 835,275 votes to overtake Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (792,987), who led at the position in each of the first two weeks. Ramirez is joined up the middle by Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, who remains the N.L.’s leading vote-getter with 1,573,248 votes. Utley, who is followed by Martin Prado (595,250) of the Braves, is in line to make his fifth consecutive fan-elected start, the most since Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg started in eight straight from 1986-1993. Utley is challenged by Cardinals eight-time All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols for the top vote-getter spot in the N.L. The three-time N.L. MVP has received 1,549,941 votes and remains in front of two-time All-Stars Ryan Howard (761,852) of the Phillies and Prince Fielder (416,360) of the Brewers. Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco rounds out the N.L. infield with 726,324 votes, followed by David Wright (550,935) of the New York Mets.

Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina has collected 762,875 votes, and leads Atlanta catcher Brian McCann (676,400), who jumped from fourth place to second place since last week. Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies is third with 604,192 votes.

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game Balloting Program is the largest of its kind in professional sports. More than 20 million Firestone All-Star ballots will be distributed at the 30 Major League ballparks, each of which will have 23 home dates for balloting, and in approximately 100 Minor League ballparks. Every Major League Club began its in-stadium balloting no later than Monday, May 10th. As part of a new sponsorship with Scotts, the official sponsor of the 2010 Retail All-Star Balloting Program, fans can also vote at approximately 1,700 Lowe’s locations nationwide.

Fans around the world can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Sprint, available exclusively at MLB.com and all 30 Club Web sites. The 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Sprint offers English and Spanish-language versions of the ballot as well as audio CAPTCHA functionality for visually-impaired fans. Sprint subscribers also can vote on select Sprint mobile devices and can visit MLB.com/Sprint for complete details on mobile voting. Fans can now help campaign for their favorite players through MLB.com’s new All-Star Campaign Manager program. Fans tally points by getting their friends, family and co-workers to vote, and compete to be recognized as on “official” All-Star Game Campaign Manager for any player they help support. For more information, go to mlb.com. When the in-stadium phase of balloting concludes on Wednesday, June 23rd, fans will have the opportunity to cast their final ballots exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club Web sites until Thursday, July 1st at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

Firestone, the official sponsor of the 2010 In-Stadium All-Star Balloting Program, has teamed up with MLB for the Firestone/MLB All-Star Sweepstakes. Each in-stadium ballot includes a sweepstakes entry form to be completed by fans along with their votes for the All-Star Game starters. At the completion of the balloting period, one lucky fan will be randomly selected to win a new set of Firestone tires, as well as an all expenses paid trip to Anaheim to throw a ceremonial first pitch before the All-Star Game.

Scotts is the official sponsor of the 2010 Retail All-Star Balloting Program, which began on May 10th exclusively at approximately 1,700 Lowe’s stores across the country. In addition to casting their votes, fans have the opportunity to enter to win a VIP All-Star Week Experience, courtesy of Scotts.

Banco BHD sponsors All-Star balloting in the Dominican Republic , making Spanish-language ballots available online at www.bhd.com.do and at All-Star balloting terminals across more than 80 branches, through July 1st.

The 2010 American League and National League All-Star Teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 4th on the 2010 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell, televised nationally on TBS. The American League All-Star Team will have nine starters elected via the fan balloting program, while the National League All-Star Team will have eight fan-elected starters. The pitchers and reserves for both squads – totaling 25 for the N.L. and 24 for the A.L. – will be determined through a combination of “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by the two All-Star managers, National League manager Charlie Manuel of the Phillies and American League skipper Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees, in conjunction with Major League Baseball .

Immediately following the announcement of the A.L. and N.L. All-Star rosters, fans will begin voting to select the final player for each League’s 34-man roster via the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint. Fans will cast their votes exclusively online at MLB.com from a list of five players from each League over a four-day period and the winners will be announced after the voting concludes on Thursday, July 8th. Now in its sixth year, fans again will be able to make their Final Vote selections on their mobile phones, exclusive to Sprint subscribers. The final phase of All-Star Game voting at MLB.com will have fans again participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2010 All-Star Game MVP Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

The 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/5:00 p.m. (PDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.

The Phillies offense has stunk for the better part of the last three weeks.

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez have slumped. Jayson Werth disappeared.

But one very big reason the offense hasn't looked like itself? Remember that Jimmy Rollins guy?

Rollins has missed all but 11 games this season. His right calf remains an issue.

When asked if Rollins could rejoin the team at some point on the upcoming six-game road trip through Boston and New York (Yankees), Charlie Manuel said, "I don't think so."

Not good, huh?

So what's Rollins saying? He is flying out to Clearwater on Thursday, but as for when he'll play...

"I’m not doing any playing (down there)," Rollins said. "I’m just going back down there to continue to rehab. I’m go down there and hit off live arms."


Any idea when you’ll be ready to play?
“That is a negative. I just want to get healthy first. What does that mean? I don’t know. Play more than 2 1/2 games.”

So you've been fielding and hitting and jogging...
“I haven’t done any running. I’m jogging on the treadmill, but the treadmill is moving for you.”

Possible this will linger another month?
"It’s possible this will linger my whole life. I talked to (Aaron Boone) today and he told me that he blew his out a couple times. He just wakes up and times and gets reminded that he did it. I’ve talked to Shane. I’ve talked to Dobbs. I don’t know."

Commissioner Bud Selig's statement on almost-perfect game:


"First, on behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Armando Galarraga on a remarkable pitching performance. All of us who love the game appreciate the historic nature of his effort last night.

"The dignity and class of the entire Detroit Tigers organization under such circumstances were truly admirable and embodied good sportsmanship of the highest order. Armando and Detroit manager Jim Leyland are to be commended for their handling of a very difficult situation. I also applaud the courage of umpire Jim Joyce to address this unfortunate situation honestly and directly. Jim's candor illustrates why he has earned the respect of on-field personnel throughout his accomplished career in the Major Leagues since 1989.

"As Jim Joyce said in his postgame comments, there is no dispute that last night's game should have ended differently. While the human element has always been an integral part of baseball, it is vital that mistakes on the field be addressed. Given last night's call and other recent events, I will examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features. Before I announce any decisions, I will consult with all appropriate parties, including our two unions and the Special Committee for On-Field Matters, which consists of field managers, general managers, club owners and presidents.”

The biggest news for Phillies fans regarding the latest All-Star voting results? Jimmy Rollins remains in front of Hanley Ramirez, Shane Victorino has dropped out of the top 3 in the outfield and Carlos Ruiz is gaining on Yadier Molina.

(Oh, and ATL's Jason Heyward closing in on passing Victorino, too).

For your convenience, I bolded all of the Phillies, their vote totals and the totals of the player closest to them in the balloting. Happy voting.


Here is the latest direct from MLB:


Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Andre Ethier, who is seeking his first career All-Star Game selection, has joined the National League’s leading outfielders in the second N.L. balloting update for the 81st All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim .

Andre Ethier, who was activated on Monday after a brief stint on the disabled list, ranks third among N.L. outfielders with 606,514 votes. Andre, who was selected the Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Year Presented by Pepsi in 2009, leads the Majors with eight walk-off hits since the beginning of the 2009 season, and has compiled a .376 batting average this season. Ethier is joined in the outfield by the leader at the position, Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (693,460), who ranks second in the N.L. with 63 hits and 39 runs scored, and Philadelphia’s Jayson Werth (629,894), who leads the Majors with 22 doubles. Werth’s Philadelphia teammate Shane Victorino, one of last week’s leaders, now is a close fourth with 566,434 votes, followed by Atlanta Braves rookie Jason Heyward, who has totaled 550,147 votes.

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (548,629), a three-time All-Star and a fan-elected starter in 2002, continues to hold a slight lead over Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez (526,890), a fan-elected starter in each of the last two Midsummer Classics.

Rollins is joined up the middle by double-play partner Chase Utley, who holds a commanding lead at second base and remains the N.L.’s leading vote-getter with 1,103,430 overall votes, ahead of eight-time All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pujols, who finished as the Major League’s balloting leader in 2009, has totaled 1,006,149 votes, outpacing two-time N.L. All-Star Ryan Howard (532,729) of the Phillies at the star-studded position. Rounding out the N.L. infield with 500,293 votes is third baseman Placido Polanco of the Phillies, who has maintained his lead over David Wright (377,815) of the New York Mets and Milwaukee’s Casey McGehee (329,675), the N.L.’s leader with 41 RBI.

Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina, who is seeking his second consecutive start behind the dish for the N.L., has received 494,517 votes, maintaining a slim lead over Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (416,585) and 14-time All-Star Ivan Rodriguez (403,874) of the Washington Nationals.

The Phillies can't score runs. We all know that.

But other than the struggles of the middle of the order, one major factor is the top two hitters from the Opening Day lineup are injured.

Jimmy Rollins is continuing to rehab in Clearwater; Placido Polanco just arrived back from a pit stop in Philly, but isn't ready to play.

When will they play? What about J.A Happ - yeah, remember him? - what's his deal?


Polanco: He has experienced pain in his left elbow for the last week (he was hit with a pitch a month ago but aggravated it in New York on a fielding play). He won't be available until at least Friday. Polanco had a cortisone shot in the elbow Monday morning; he won't be cleared to being swinging until Friday, when the Phils return home to host San Diego.



Rollins: He has began a jogging program and even took batting practice against Happ the other day. But - he won't come off the DL Sunday, when he's first eligible AND general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Rollins' "still has a little bit of tightness" in his right calf. But he also feels Rollins will be back not longer after Sunday. Stay tuned.


Happ: He threw to hitter for the first time Sunday. He'll throw two innings in extended spring training on Thursday. If that goes well, Happ will begin an official rehab by pitching for the Class A Clearwater Threshers on Tuesday, a week from today. Happ has been on the DL since April 22 with a left forearm strain.