Rollins on the DL

Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.  Once Jimmy Rollins didn’t come back by Tuesday or Wednesday like the team originally said, you had to know something was wrong.  Then you saw him run, and you could just tell.  Now it’s official: Jimmy Rollins is on the Disabled List for the first time in his eight-year career.

It’s not a total disaster.  He’ll only be out 15 days, and it’s still April.  There’s a lot of season left to be played, and at least they’ll get to use someone else now that he’s officially on the DL and the roster spot is open.  In other words, if he’s going to get hurt, I’m glad it’s now and not in September.

The bigger problem here is that nobody else is stepping up.  Chase Utley and Pat Burrell have been good, but they were good before Rollins got hurt.  The team needs to replace what Rollins was giving them, and with Victorino out they just don’t have the speed at the top of the order to fill in that hole.

This is where some of the new guys are supposed to step up.  It’s time for So Taguchi and Eric Bruntlett to show us why they’re major leaguers.  So far, they’ve only shown us why nobody else wanted them.

Also, I wouldn’t be opposed to Ryan Howard making contact with the ball.  And short of that, he could at least try to catch it from time to time.

The bottom line here is that the guy who makes this team go isn’t around for the time being.  Someone else is going to have to get it done.  We’ll just have to wait and see who it is, but rest assured: My eyes are peeled.