Phillies Notes: Polanco back in lineup against Reds

Third baseman Placido Polanco was activated from the disabled list and immediately placed in the Phillies' starting lineup for Monday's opening of a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

Polanco had been on the disabled list (retroactive to July 23) with lower-back inflammation. He played three games for single-A Clearwater and went 5 for 12 (.417) with two RBIs.

"It's good to be back," Polanco said before Monday's game. "I was hitting the ball well and felt good."

Polanco said he didn't need an overly long rehabilitation assignment.

"I am a guy who doesn't need a lot of games to get my timing back, but I just hope to be healthy. That is the main thing," he said.

The 36-year-old Polanco is in the final year of a contract that has a $5.5 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout for next season.

With Polanco out, Kevin Frandsen made the most of his chance to play.

Frandsen had started the previous 20 games at third base. He entered Monday hitting .329 in 76 at-bats.

"Sometimes when you get the chance to play, you take advantage of that, and he has done that," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He will continue getting the chance to play more."

Manuel said Polanco would ease back in. The manager indicated that Frandsen is expected to start at third on Tuesday.

"Being able to get to play every day and make adjustments on the fly instead of sporadic here and there, it has meant the world to me," Frandsen said.

When asked if his performance was a good showcase for 2013, Frandsen said he would worry about that next year.

Cole Hamels has been named the National League player of the week for the period that ended Sunday.

The lefthander went 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA. He pitched a 4-0 shutout last Monday at Miami and then earned a 4-3 decision at Milwaukee on Saturday.

In the two games, covering 162/3 innings, Hamels struck out 15 and walked two.

Hamels (14-6, 2.94 ERA) is a Cy Young Award candidate and will face another one on Thursday in Reds righthander Johnny Cueto (16-6, 2.44).

Carlos Ruiz remains optimistic that he will play before the season ends. The catcher was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 3 with a partial tear of his left foot. The boot he was wearing has been removed, and he even took some swings in the batting cage Monday.

Ruiz believes that he can begin running by next week.

"I am really happy now and feel close," he said.

The 33-year-old Ruiz is having a career year, batting .335 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. He was selected to his first All-Star Game.

Jimmy Rollins was honored for setting the franchise record last week for most games played at shortstop. Monday was his 1,737th game at short. Larry Bowa, who held the previous record of 1,730, presented Rollins with a base in a pregame ceremony.

The Phillies placed lefthanded reliever Jeremy Horst on the paternity leave list and recalled righthander Phillippe Aumont from Lehigh Valley.

The Reds entered Monday 24-10 since all-star first baseman Joey Votto went on the disabled list after arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee.

Manager Dusty Baker said he hoped Votto could return in the not-too-distant future.