CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins was out of the starting lineup against the New York Yankees on Thursday, benched for a third straight game.
Rollins said he’s healthy and is unsure why manager Ryne Sandberg decided to bench him this week.
“Obviously, he is upset about something,” Rollins said.
Sandberg was not available for comment early Thursday. After the Phillies’ 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, Sandberg had “no comment” when asked about Rollins’ energy and positivity.
He said 24-year-old shortstop Freddy Galvis could compete for playing time with the 35-year-old Rollins this season.
“Freddy’s a guy that will get playing time at various positions,” Sandberg said Wednesday. “He’s a guy that I like in the lineup. I feel good about what he brings to the table. The biggest thing, I like his energy and his positive influence that he sets out there. He’s a positive influence on everybody around him.”
Rollins is a former National League MVP entering his 15th season with the Phillies. As of Thursday morning, Rollins said he had not spoken with Sandberg since being benched. But he was aware of Sandberg’s “no comment.”
“Well, everyone is allowed to have their own opinion,” Rollins said Thursday. “It doesn’t make it right, but he’s the manager, so he gets to have the last say.”
Rollins says the benching could “possibly” be the result of comments he made this week in the Philadelphia Daily News.
After Rollins played in Monday’s 8-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies (3-10-2) ranked last in baseball in several major offensive categories this spring, including batting average, OPS and runs scored per game.
“Who cares?” Rollins told the Daily News of spring training results. “When the season starts, that’s when results matter. There really is no other way to put it. No one talks about preseason in June. … No one does.”
