PHOENIX—Reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins was to rejoin the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday in San Francisco after missing a month with a sprained left ankle.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he will watch Rollins warm up and could put his star shortstop back in the lineup immediately.
"If he's ready to play, there's a good chance he will be," Manuel said after Thursday's 8-3 loss to Arizona. "He's the MVP. He's the shortstop. He helps us, man."
Rollins went on the disabled list for the first time in his career on April 20, 12 days after he injured his ankle against the New York Mets.
He went 0-for-3 with a walk and turned two double plays in a rehab appearance Wednesday night for Class A Clearwater.
Manuel said that Rollins' replacement, Eric Bruntlett, has earned a spot on the roster. After a slow start, Bruntlett was 7-for-18 with eight RBIs in the four-game series with Arizona. He singled twice of Brandon Webb on Thursday.
