Phillies Notes: Phils' Rollins, Polanco still resting

ATLANTA - The left side of the Phillies' infield needs more time to recover from injury.

Third baseman Placido Polanco rejoined the team Tuesday after receiving a cortisone shot in his bruised left elbow in Philadelphia on Monday. But Polanco said the earliest he could begin swinging a bat is Friday.

Meanwhile, shortstop Jimmy Rollins' rehabilitation in Clearwater, Fla., for his strained right calf is moving slowly. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Rollins likely would not be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible Sunday.

Rollins began jogging a few days ago and has taken swings against live pitching in batting practice.

"He still has a little bit of tightness," Amaro said, "but he's doing much better."

Still, the Phillies will be cautious about rushing Rollins back because this calf strain is the second one he has suffered in 2010. He missed 30 games earlier in the season with the same injury and played in one rehab game before being activated.

He reinjured the calf in his fifth game back from the disabled list.

Presumably, Rollins will need to see some action in extended spring training games as well as a few official rehab games before he is ready to be activated.

"We'll play it by ear," Amaro said.

As for Polanco, he said that the elbow was feeling better but that there was some stiffness from the cortisone shot. He hasn't played since May 27.

"It's very tough and boring," Polanco said.

Polanco is icing his elbow three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes.

The big test will be when he can finally swing once the Phillies return home. For now, Polanco is hoping the rest can finally shake the soreness.

"Ever since I got hit, I had something there, and it wasn't right," Polanco said.

Charlie Manuel was impressed with Brad Lidge's 1-2-3 inning Monday in his return from the disabled list. But he isn't ready to use Lidge as his closer.

"We'll probably get him out there a couple more times before we turn him loose," Manuel said.

Part of that is because of the luxury the Phillies have with Jose Contreras. The fill-in for Lidge has three saves and a 0.59 ERA in 2010.

"If possible, we'll use Contreras right now until we feel like Lidge is ready to go," Manuel said.

Lidge said he wouldn't mind a few more outings in the middle innings before reclaiming the closer's role.

"I'll pitch whenever Charlie wants me," Lidge said Monday.

Lefthander J.A. Happ (left forearm strain) will pitch two innings in an extended spring training game in Clearwater on Thursday. If that goes well, Amaro said, Happ could start his official rehab with a game for single-A Clearwater five days later.

Amaro said Happ threw all of his pitches during a live batting practice session Sunday. "He's pretty good," Amaro said. "Doing all right."

Manuel said he spent some one-on-one time with Jayson Werth and Greg Dobbs in the batting cages before Tuesday's game. Werth, who entered Tuesday in an 0-for-19 skid, was back in the lineup after his second day off in four games. Dobbs was 2 for 27 in May and is hitting .125 on the season. . . . Through 50 games in 2010, the Phillies hit 24 fewer home runs than in 2009. But their 2010 pitching staff has an ERA 1.30 points lower than in 2009. . . . In recognition of his perfect game, Roy Halladay was named the National League player of the week. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at Citizens Bank Park vs. the Padres.