Wilson Valdez

CINCINNATI - The return of one major contributor to the Phillies was wildly successful Monday when Cole Hamels tossed six stellar innings. Now that leaves only Jimmy Rollins . Rollins' progress from a strained right groin is measured in tiny increments, such as some lateral movement, batting practice in the cage, and tweets updating his health afterward. Rollins believes he can be ready by Sept. 6, when he is eligible to be activated from the disabled list. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. holds a different view.

HOUSTON - The final step came during fielding practice at Miller Park in Milwaukee, as Jimmy Rollins simulated all of the possible contortions a human body can make while playing shortstop in the big leagues. He went to his left, went to his right, planted and threw, jumped and threw, twirled and threw. "I just wanted to do that," Rollins said, "and I was able to do it probably for about 4 or 5 days. That wasn't the issue. The issue was, how was it going to feel tomorrow after you use it that way?

WASHINGTON - Once a long Sunday at the ballpark ended, the only item in Jimmy Rollins' locker was a red bag with No. 11 on it. Rollins was long gone, and thus it was difficult to discern how serious a right groin strain he suffered sometime in the first three innings was. Across the room, Placido Polanco dressed with a smile. He was upbeat because he received clearance from the team's doctors and athletic trainers to come off the disabled list for a sports hernia when eligible on Monday.

The Phillies' offense Friday night was nothing like their recent production, which had generated so much trade speculation. Then they made the trade they hope will produce more slugfests to match Friday's 10-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Coveted Houston Astros all-star outfielder Hunter Pence was dealt to the Phillies on Friday night for four minor-leaguers. After facing Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum and managing a total of just two runs in consecutive losses to San Franciso, the Phils came through for Roy Halladay on Friday by scoring eight runs in the first two innings.

MILWAUKEE - Wilson Valdez had never experienced hamstring problems before. So that's why he attempted to stay in Saturday's game after injuring his left leg. "I was trying to," Valdez said. "But if I hit, I don't think I would have been able to run to first base. If I tried to run hard, I would pull it. " Valdez was ultimately removed and sat on the bench Sunday. It's notable only because Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins were already out of the lineup. So Charlie Manuel fielded a double-play combo of Pete Orr and Michael Martinez in Sunday's series finale against Milwaukee.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The New York Mets, not exactly flush with cash these days, ate $6 million to release their former all-star and Gold Glove second baseman without a clear replacement for him Friday morning. That probably says enough about the current state of Luis Castillo's 35-year-old body, but it does not mean the Phillies have ruled out possibly bringing in Castillo for a look at second, where a gaping hole remains without Chase Utley . "That remains to be seen," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said when asked about the team's interest in Castillo.

SAN FRANCISCO - When the Phillies arrived at AT & T Park yesterday, they not only carried with them a nine-game winning streak, but a 9 1/2-game lead over the Braves in the NL East, representing their largest margin since September 1993. Even after the Giants salvaged a win in an otherwise lopsided four-game series with a 3-1 victory over Roy Oswalt yesterday, the Phillies (74-40) were on pace for a franchise-record 105 victories. "We're still playing good ball," said rightfielder Hunter Pence, who went 0-for-4 yesterday after getting at least one hit in each of his first eight games with the Phillies.

Wilson Valdez says he was ready, but the Phillies infielder didn't have to make his second pitching appearance of the season Thursday night. The Phillies used their entire relief corps in a 4-3 loss in 11 innings to the Chicago Cubs, so Valdez was prepared for the call. Manager Charlie Manuel said before Friday night's game against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park that he had considered using Valdez. Even though Manuel never talked to him about it, Valdez said, he was mentally prepared.

WASHINGTON - There are no guarantees in this game, a principle that 25-year-old Domonic Brown learned quite well. He's been labeled an untouchable, a bust, and a starter. That latest designation came July 31, when the Phillies traded away two-thirds of their starting outfield. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Brown would head into 2013 all but assured of a starting job. "We've seen some stuff like that happen before in the past," Brown said. "You have to be ready to go. " At times during the last two months, Brown was not ready to go. He has played through pain in both his knees since June.

Both Charlie Manuel and Cole Hamels spent Tuesday night downplaying the lefthander's removal in the eighth inning of an eight-run game with stiffness in his back. A day later, the message was the same: No one expects Hamels to miss time. "I haven't thought about Hamels' next start," Manuel said Wednesday. "But, yeah, he's going to make his next start. Just by talking to him today, he's fine. I've got other things to do before his next start. " Hamels was perturbed when questioned Wednesday morning about his back.