Philadelphia Phillies could have Jimmy Rollins back today

By Ed Carroll | Sep 19, 2014

Sep 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) slides safe into third base after hitting a triple during the fourth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadephia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins tested his hamstring out on Thursday, and could return to action as soon as today in his hometown against the Oakland Athletics. Rollins strained his left hamstring on a triple in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 8, and the 35-year old shortstop’s resurgent year was in doubt.

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Rollins has been good for the Phillies this season, despite slashing .243/.323/.394. He has 17 home runs and 28 stolen bases, and has been above-average defensively in the field. There’s an added intrigue to Rollins’s injury, because even though Philly is long out of the National League playoff picture, whether Rollins finishes the year on the disabled list or not actually has a considerable impact on the Phillies.

Rollins had a vesting option for 2015, which stipulated his $11 million-dollar 2015 salary would become guaranteed with at least 1,100 plate appearances between 2013 and 2014. The option vested in July, but there’s a clause stating the option only vests if Rollins isn’t on the disabled list at the end of the 2014 season (and due to the expanded September rosters, he hasn’t been on the DL), or if a mutually agreed upon doctor clears Rollins for the Opening Day roster. At this point, it would take a serious flare-up for Rollins to be DLed, but it’s worth Phillies fans keeping a watch over while the season winds down.

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