Rollins sidelined for third straight game

Jimmy Rollins will be back in the Phillies’ starting lineup today following a mysterious three-game benching.

When he arrived at Bright House Field on Thursday, Rollins said he was healthy and ready to play. He was unsure why Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg decided to rest him for a third consecutive game.

“Obviously he is upset about something,” Rollins said.

Sandberg, a Spokane native, and Rollins spoke before the game against a New York Yankees’ split squad and Sandberg said resting Rollins was not a disciplinary decision.

Sandberg said he wanted to give Freddy Galvis some at-bats and ration the playing time of Rollins and second baseman Chase Utley with opening day still a few weeks off.

Sandberg did want to speak with Rollins prior to Thursday’s game about comments the veteran shortstop made in the Philadelphia Daily News earlier in the week. In a story about the Phillies’ struggling offense this spring training, Rollins was quoted as telling the paper, “Who cares?”

“Jimmy cares,” Sandberg said. “I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t speaking for the ballclub with ‘Who cares?’ … So he was speaking for himself that he wasn’t that concerned with it being that early in the spring.”

But when asked about Rollins’ energy and positive nature, Sandberg replied, “No Comment.”

“Well, everyone is allowed to have their own opinion,” Rollins said. “It doesn’t make it right, but he’s the manager so he gets to have the last say.”

Clearing the bases

Cleveland’s Jason Giambi will be sidelined for about three-to-four weeks with a broken rib in his right side. … The Brewers announced that Yovani Gallardo will start his fifth consecutive season opener on March 31 against Atlanta. … Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena has reported to the Los Angeles Dodgers, nearly three weeks after agreeing to a $25 million, five-year contract.