Placido Polanco is not in the Phillies' lineup Wednesday afternoon against the Rockies.

He is probably just getting some rest with the day game after the night game. Wilson Valdez will make the start at the hot corner Wednesday and bat eighth against right-hander Jason Hammel.

Phillies activated 3B Placido Polanco from the 15-day disabled list.

Polanco's back has passed all tests the last two days on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and the All-Star is ready to again man the hot corner. The veteran's production has declined steadily each month since a big April.

Placido Polanco (back) expects to return this weekend.

Polanco fielded grounders and took swings in a batting cage Monday without feeling any abnormal pain or discomfort in his back. He'll play rehab games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday and Friday before being reevaluated by the Phillies' team physicians.

Placido Polanco (back) is aiming to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday.

Polanco took grounders and swung the bat in a cage on Sunday morning, reporting no lingering discomfort in his back. He could be back in the majors early next week.

Placido Polanco (back) could begin a rehab assignment Wednesday and possibly return next weekend.

Polanco took some grounders and also some swings in the batting cage and expects to participate in batting practice the next two days. He's been feeling much better since getting an epidural injection Thursday. Polanco has been sidelined since early July with a bulging disk in his back.

Placido Polanco (back) is feeling much better since getting an epidural injection Thursday.

Polanco is eligible to be activated at any time and hopes to be ready to return in about a week. He's expected to need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Phillies. The third baseman has been sidelined since early July with a bulging disk in his back.

Placido Polanco will receive an epidural injection Thursday for the bulging disc in his lower back.

Polanco hoped to avoid the shot, but anti-inflammatory medication wasn't making a difference with the lingering pain in his back. He'll likely rest for a couple of days before resuming baseball activities. There's no current timetable for his return.

Placido Polanco (back) could receive a cortisone injection Thursday.

"I was trying to avoid the shot," said Polanco. "But I was the one that came up to them and told them this keeps bothering me. Let's just go ahead and go with the second option." Polanco is eligible to return from the disabled list Wednesday, but remains sidelined indefinitely.

Placido Polanco (back) won't be ready to return from the disabled list Wednesday.

Polanco has been sidelined since July 4 with a bulging disc in his back. He felt renewed back soreness while attempting to take batting practice over the weekend and believes he will need an injection to help relieve the pain. Wilson Valdez and Michael Martinez will continue to split playing time at the hot corner for now.

Placido Polanco (back) hopes to return from the disabled list on July 20 when eligible.

Polanco landed on the DL Friday, but he is feeling better and was able to avoid getting a cortisone shot. His back injury has dragged on longer than expected, but, ultimately, spending 15 days on the DL when you have a bulging disk isn't bad.

Phillies placed Placido Polanco on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 5, with lower back inflammation.

He was slated to take batting practice on Thursday, and apparently that session didn't go particularly well. The Phils were maintaining hope that Polanco could play in the first game after the All-Star break, but with him already missing so much time, this is the sensible move. He'll be eligible to return on July 20, though it's not clear if he'll be able to do so. The Phils will use a combo of Wilson Valdez and Michael Martinez at third base until Polanco is ready. Ryan Madson was activated from the DL to take his spot on the roster.

Placido Polanco (back) is expecting to return to the Phillies' lineup right after the All-Star break.

Polanco hasn't played since July 4 due to a pinched nerve in his back. He's been taking anti-inflammatory medication since the beginning of the All-Star break and will attempt batting practice Thursday and Friday.

Placido Polanco (back) confirmed that he will not play in the All-Star game.

Polanco met with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel Saturday and it was decided he would not play. He's slated to miss his fifth straight game Sunday with a bulging disk in his back. Though the Phillies have yet to publicly discuss the possibility, the disabled list has to be under consideration for Polanco at this point.

Placido Polanco (back) remained out of the lineup Sunday.

Polanco expressed some optimism Saturday that he might be able to play, but it was all for naught. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that if Polanco can't play Sunday, he won't play in the All-Star game, so we're looking at another injury replacement.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Placido Polanco (back) "more than likely" will not play Sunday.

Manuel also added that if Polanco is unable to play Sunday, he will not play in Tuesday's All-Star game. It's a change in tune from the team's previous stance, but, ultimately a practical and wise decision. Though the Phillies don't seem to be considering a DL move at this time, Polanco will have missed 10 days by the time the team returns from the break, so the possibility has surely been discussed.

Placido Polanco (back) is not in Saturday's lineup.

Polanco hasn't played since Monday due to a bulging disk in his back. Though the Phillies haven't ruled out him playing this weekend, the odds would seem to be against it. He is, however, still planning on playing at the All-Star game.

Placido Polanco (back) hasn't ruled out playing this weekend against the division-rival Braves.

Polanco was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back, but said his injury is not as bad as teammate Roy Oswalt. That's good news, we think. The 35-year-old third baseman also still hopes to participate in the All-Star Game, though we doubt he'll go if he can't play this weekend. Stay tuned.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that Placido Polanco was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back.

Polanco is out of the lineup for the fourth straight game Friday and could soon be headed for a trip to the disabled list. The veteran third baseman is batting just .216 since the start of May, so some time away might be the best thing for him.

Placido Polanco (back) expects to return to the lineup this weekend.

Polanco is scheduled to see a spinal cord specialist Thursday, but he's not worried. "It's not a big thing," Polanco said. "We have a day off coming up tomorrow. I can play, it's just not comfortable. So they decided to not play me these two games, take advantage of that day off tomorrow, let it rest and heal and come back Friday."

Placido Polanco is scheduled to see a spinal cord specialist Thursday in Philadelphia.

Polanco is out of the Phillies' lineup Wednesday for a second straight day due to a pinched nerve in his back. He's hoping to return to action this weekend, but the Phils may go ahead and rest him until after the break.