Phillies' Rollins says he has no health issues

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jimmy Rollins wants people to stop worrying about him. The Phillies are nervous about his health, Davey Johnson is agonizing about playing time, and the shortstop says that everyone should just relax.

A report on Tuesday said that Rollins was suffering from a sore back, prompting the Phillies to ask him to visit their trainers yesterday. But Rollins downplayed it before yesterday's game, and corrected the record on the nature of his injury.

"It was my rib, not my back," he said. Over the last few years, he said, he has periodically felt soreness in a rib toward the top of his back. He tweaked it in November, and it acted up again a few days ago, when he was taking batting practice with Team USA in Tampa.

He led off and played shortstop for Team USA yesterday against the Phillies, going 1 for 2, and scoring a run in Team USA's 9-6 win. "He's fine," said Johnson.

Rollins was lifted for pinch- hitter Derek Jeter in the fourth inning, as Johnson tried to ensure that the two star shortstops see adequate playing time. "It's not a good problem to have," Johnson said. "Both of them need to be on the field."

"He's really torn with that," Rollins said. "I don't know why. Derek and I told him, you know, we understand the program. The at-bats I get in the [WBC] games are actually more valuable than getting 30-to-40 at-bats in spring training."

As Rollins sees it, his participation in the Classic prepares him for the season, because his spring at-bats will be more intense than usual.

"It helps," he said. "Everyone that pitches has the intent to get you out, and when you're up at the plate you're trying to make something happen. The earlier you get to it, the better off you'll be in the long run."

The big 5-0. Shane Victorino was 1 for 3 and scored a run for Team USA. . . . Phillies righthander Joe Bisenius was loaned to Team USA during the game. He changed uniforms and pitched the eighth inning, allowing three hits and a run to his teammates. . . .

Lidge throws. Brad Lidge (mild forearm tightness) threw live batting practice yesterday, and pitching coach Rich Dubee said he "threw very well" and might see game action next week. Dubee also said that reliever Chad Durbin (right hamstring) was "fine."

Happy days. Third baseman Pedro Feliz (lower back) took live batting practice for the first time yesterday, and manager Charlie Manuel said that Feliz and second baseman Chase Utley (right hip) could appear in a game next week. "Tomorrow is a big day for [Feliz]," Manuel said. "We'll see how sore he is, and how he reacts to practice tomorrow. I think Utley is pretty close to being ready."

Lopez to join Phillies. The Phillies signed righthander Rodrigo Lopez, 33, to a minor-league contract. Lopez is pitching for Team Mexico in the WBC, and will report to minor-league camp after Team Mexico concludes tournament play. Lopez has pitched for the Orioles and Rockies, and is 65-65 in his career. He did not pitch in the major leagues in 2008 after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007. Lopez signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta last August, but was released in November.