NL Wire Notes | MVP Rollins makes first trip to DL

Jimmy Rollins, MVP, has two more capital letters next to his name: DL.

Rollins was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his eight-year career on Sunday because of a sprained left ankle. The move came nearly two weeks after the Philadelphia shortstop, last year's National League MVP, was hurt running the bases against the Mets.

"It has gotten a lot better, but it isn't getting better from this point," Rollins said.

Rollins was hurt April 8 against the Mets, but seemed to believe another day's rest was all he needed to return to the lineup. Instead, the switch-hitter made no starts and had only four pinch-hit appearances since.

"In retrospect, of course it was a mistake" to not immediately put him on the DL, said Ruben Amaro, Jr., Phillies assistant general manager. "But you can only go on how the guy feels."

Rollins, 29, is batting .308 with two doubles, two home runs, six runs batted in and two stolen bases.

He played in all 162 regular-season games last season, leading Philadelphia to the NL East title and its first playoff berth since 1993. He batted .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBI, 20 triples, 41 stolen bases and an NL-high 139 runs.

Eric Bruntlett started his 11th straight game at shortstop for the Phillies Sunday.

Arizona: LHP Randy Johnson blamed his loss to the Padres on "bad, untimely pitches," but isn't discouraged about his comeback from surgery. "Things are getting better. Everything is under the microscope now. This isn't spring training any more. You go out there in a tight ballgame and make some mistakes, it can cost you."

Atlanta: The Braves' bullpen allowed only one run in 10-2/3 innings in the series sweep of the Dodgers.

Chicago: OF Reed Johnson is hitting .400 at Wrigley Field this season. SS/2B Ryan Theriot is hitting .481 on the homestand.

Cincinnati: OF Corey Patterson, the Reds' leadoff batter, is hitless in his last 22 at-bats.

Florida: SS Hanley Ramirez's two home runs against the Nationals totaled 858 feet.

Houston: LHP Wandy Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained groin.

Philadelphia: The Phillies observed a moment of silence for former major-leaguer and Philly native John Marzano, 45, who died Saturday after falling down a flight of stairs at his home. ... OF Chris Snelling (left knee inflammation) was placed on the DL.

Pittsburgh: OF Nate McLouth extended his hitting streak to 18 games, the longest by a Pirate since Jason Kendall hit in 20 straight in 2004.

St. Louis: LHP Mark Mulder, trying to come back from two shoulder operations, pitched six scoreless innings for AA Springfield, Mo., in his second rehabilitation outing.

San Diego: RHP Justin Germano, who starts tonight, is still winless despite a 1.35 ERA.

San Francisco: The Giants swung at 14 pitches and missed only once in their six-run inning against Cardinals RHP Braden Looper.

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