Jimmy Rollins Returns; Greg Dobbs DFA’d, Ruiz to DL

Jimmy Rollins was activated from the disabled list today, rejoining a Phillies club that has gone 9-18 since he went down with his second calf injury this season. Rollins was placed on the DL on May 22.

Carlos Ruiz was sent to the disabled list with a head injury, as well.

Those of you calling for the end of Greg Dobbs, your wish has come true. Dobbs was designated for assignment today. Mike Zagurski was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Scott Mathieson was sent back to AAA.

In just 12 games this season, J-Roll is batting .341 with two homers and seven RBI.  His return comes at a time when his presence is desperately needed in the order.  Rollins gives the Phillies an element that was surely lacking over this elongated slump – passion. Perhaps his bat and glove – and charismatic approach to the game – will kick start the Phils who are now 5.5 games behind Atlanta in the NL East.

Here are some interesting J-Roll stats courtesy of our own Michael Baumann:

• The Phillies are 759-659 when he plays. In wins, he’s hit .310/.367/.507, while in losses he’s hit .231/.284/.359.
• His OPS is almost 100 points higher for his career with men on than with the bases empty, and his OPS with 2 outs is 35 points higher than with 1 out and 44 points higher than with no outs.
• J-Roll is coming back at a good time. Jimmy Rollins has a higher career BA, OBP and SLG against Toronto than any other team.
• His start was truly spectacular. In 12 games this season, J-Roll contributed 1.1 WAR. He had only 2.6 in 155 games last season.
• This jump in WAR might be due to a 19.4% walk rate, more than twice his previous career high.
• He hits 200 points higher when he’s ahead in the count than when he’s behind. So his patience, which was lacking, is very much rewarded.
• His season will hinge on two things: 1. whether that walk rate sticks (it won’t be close to 20% all year, but he could stick it at 13 or 14 instead of 6 or 7 like normal), and 2. whether that hot start was the result of the walk rate or the .353 BABIP.

Dobbs has been awful this season, far removed from his years as one of the best pinch hitters in all of baseball. He batted just .152 this season with one home run.