Jimmy Rollins' Injury Has Philadelphia Phillies Awaiting Their Fate

Anticipation grew as the players exited the tunnel Monday to enter Citizens Bank Park to mark the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies' home opener against the Washington Nationals.

Above, Jimmy Rollins, the longest-tenured player among the Phillies, enters among adoring fans.

Moments later, however, a hush grew among the gathered fans.

Juan Castro, not Jimmy Rollins, took the field at shortstop.

Not since Lenny Dysktra broke his wrist on Opening Day many years ago did such a key member of the team go down on Opening Day.

Later in the game, outfielder Jayson Werth left with a sore hip. Werth is considered day to day.

The Phillies are awaiting the results of Rollins' MRI, but according to interviews with players following the game yesterday, a calf injury such as Rollins' would likely land him on the disabled list.

Lets hope it is 15 days, not 30 or 60.

Rolllins indicated he injured the calf in a pre-game warmup.

Rollins was off to such an unbelievable start, hitting .391 with three doubles, one home run, eight runs scored, three RBI, and an incredible .516 on-base percentage.

Rollins' leadoff home run in Houston on Sunday helped to propel Roy Halladay's complete-game 2-1 victory.

For one day, however, the backup plan worked.

Castro had an RBI double in the Phillies' five-run fifth inning, highlighted by Chase Utley's two-run bomb.

A short-term loss of Rollins will not be a big loss. However, more long-term injuries to someone like Rollins and a delay of Joe Blanton's return could affect one or more games.

Our baseball friends up north, the Mets, sure know a thing or two about losing key players to injury, as they did last season.

However, last year I explained in a BR slideshow that the Mets' woes were caused by having an older core of players.

Will we start to see the National League championship veneer tarnish along the core?

Dare I say it amidst a 6-1 start? Poppycock.

One thing I know: Jayson Werth, in a contract year, will get back on the field soon if he can at all help it.

He may have already written his ticket out of town.