Phillies Notes: Dobbs back with Phillies after triple-A stint

CINCINNATI - Greg Dobbs was in the middle of an eight-hour bus ride from Durham, N.C., to Allentown when he found out he was returning to the majors.

It made the trip somewhat easier.

"I wasn't sitting there thinking about what was going to happen, this or that," Dobbs said. "You're thinking about your game, how you're going to improve."

Dobbs is back with the Phillies after a four-game stint at triple-A Lehigh Valley, his contract selected when Chase Utley and Placido Polanco went on the disabled list.

Dobbs started at third base and batted second against Cincinnati on Tuesday. He went 0 for 3 before being removed for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.

"My role has been this - to be ready, to be prepared for anything that arises," Dobbs said.

The lefthanded utility man was designated for assignment June 22 after hitting .152 in 42 games. He was just 1 for 25 as a pinch-hitter.

At triple A, Dobbs went 2 for 17 and struck out seven times.

"I was getting into a rhythm," Dobbs said. "That's what this game is about, rhythms and ebbs and flows. I was seeing lefties and righties."

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said for now he will rotate players at second and third base without Utley and Polanco. But he said Dobbs could play the majority of the time at third, especially against righthanded pitchers.

"This is going to be a good chance for him to get playing time," Manuel said. "He proved a couple years ago that he can hit when he gets the chance to play. This opens up the door for him."

The Phillies also recalled 25-year-old infielder Brian Bocock from triple A. Bocock was hitting .179 with a .231 slugging percentage.

Cody Ransom, who played 31 games for the Yankees in 2009 (mostly at third) is hitting .238 with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs in 77 games at Lehigh Valley. (He also has made 15 errors.) But Ransom has been bothered by a knee injury that forced him to designated hitter for the last three games. He played shortstop Tuesday night for Lehigh Valley, and if he proves to the Phillies he is healthy, he could be promoted shortly.

Ransom could challenge Dobbs for time at third if the Phillies don't acquire a player outside the organization.

"I think you could see Ransom pretty soon," Manuel said.

Replacing Utley at his customary spot of third in the batting order was shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

"I've put him there a lot," Manuel said. "He's hit there quite a bit."

Entering Tuesday, Rollins had batted third 35 times in his career, hitting .247 with no home runs and 16 RBIs.

Shane Victorino batted leadoff.

"I think Victorino's talent in the leadoff hole, especially when he's hot, it stands out," Manuel said. "I think Rollins is more suited for the three-hole."

The Phils released outfielder Willy Taveras, who hit .208 with three RBIs in 23 games for Lehigh Valley. . . . Roy Halladay starts the finale against Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon. He will be opposed by Aaron Harang.

Righthander Ryan Madson (broken toe) pitched a scoreless inning in his second rehab outing for single-A Clearwater. He struck out two.