Manuel Feels Brief Rest Will Benefit Rollins

Jimmy Rollins is back in the Phillies lineup Friday against the Chicago Cubs after getting most of the game off during Wednesday's 7-2 win at Arizona.

Rollins, who had started the first 18 games this season, entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.

Manager Charlie Manuel feels giving him a breather, in addition to the team's day off on Thursday, will benefit Rollins.

"It will clear his head a little bit," Manuel said Friday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Manuel said that Rollins has shown some recent encouraging signs.

"Actually, he hasn't been getting many hits, but he has been hitting the ball good on the road," Manuel said.

The Phillies manager said that he doesn't believe having Rollins hitting third instead of leadoff has had an impact on his slow start.

"If you remember, this is not the first time he has gotten off to a slow start," Manuel said.

Rollins is a career .266 hitter in March/April. This year he is batting .229 with no home runs and three RBIs. He has struck out 15 times, second on the team to Hunter Pence's 18.

"He needs these last two days to hopefully get him off his feet, clear his mind and we are sticking him back there and seeing what he can do," Manuel said.