Placido Polanco to DL with Injured Back
UPDATE, 5:59 pm: According to the Allentown Morning Call, Kevin Frandsen will get the call tomorrow.
—————
Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco heads to the 15-day DL with what is being referred to as lower back inflammation retroactive to July 23, according to Phils beat writer Todd Zolecki. A corresponding roster move will be announced before tomorrow’s game and will depend on if the Phils complete any trades before tomorrow. Pete Orr or Kevin Frandsen are by far the most likely to add infield depth but B.J. Rosenberg or Tyler Cloyd could be called up if there are further transactions to add pitching depth, alleviating a pitching surplus at Lehigh Valley created by Jonathan Pettibone‘s promotion.
Polanco has hit just .255/.300/.328 this year but his defense will be missed. Polanco’s replacement Ty Wigginton has started the last three games at third but has committed three errors in the last three games. Orr is hitting .260/.300/.331 in 183 PA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley where he has played left field and third while Frandsen was an International League All-Star and is hitting .302/.337/.396 in 418 PA and is proficient at all infield positions. Polanco’s trip to the DL leaves the Phils with just five active infielders, not including Laynce Nix, barring any trades or promotions.
Part of trade rumors himself, Polanco has been linked to the Orioles in recent days and Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reported today that the Orioles would have “tried hard” to acquire Polanco had he not been placed on the disabled list.
