Rollins goes 4-for-4 in rehab game

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - May 5, 2008 The reigning National League MVP is on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his eight-year career because of a sprained left ankle. He hurt the ankle on April 8 running the bases against the New York Mets, but didn't go on the DL for nearly two more weeks.

"It was fine," Rollins said. "Running around the bases for the first time, it felt good. Second time, I felt a little twinge, but I was still able to kick it in coming around to score, and I was fine."

Rollins is scheduled to play in another extended spring game Tuesday. He hopes to rejoin the Phillies on Thursday or Friday.

"Once I get the confidence that I can do anything without worrying about my ankle, that's when I know I'm 100 percent," Rollins said. "So, with that being said, I feel about 90 percent confident."

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he hopes Rollins will be back this weekend. But Manuel wants Rollins to be ready to go when he rejoins the major league club.

"We need him, man," Manuel said before the Phillies played the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. "He's a part of us - he's a big part. But we want him healthy. I don't want him having any setbacks. I don't want to be able to put him in there one day and all of a sudden he's hurt again. I want him to be able to go out there and play."

The switch-hitting Rollins batted three times left-handed in the game against New York Yankees minor leaguers, and doubled each time. His other at-bat resulted in a single from the right side.

"It was interesting," Rollins said. "I really just wanted to get in there and track the ball, actually. Just try to get some timing. It was good. I was just happy I wasn't jumping at the ball."

Rollins played in the field for four innings, then went through an extensive postgame workout for the ankle.

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