Although the Phillies dropped back-to-back games last weekend for the first time since April 18-19, they couldn't be happier to have MVP shortstop Jimmy Rollins back in the lineup.

The impact of a star player's return to the field after a lengthy absence sometimes can be overstated. But the Phillies say that there's no exaggerating the boost they get from Rollins, who was reinstated from the disabled list before Friday night's game.

"Absolutely not," ace lefty Cole Hamels said. "He wants to play. He wants to win awards. Getting back in the lineup was something he's been gunning for. When the spotlight shines on him, he tends to have big games at the plate and in the field.

"He always tells me, 'Get on, and I'll get you in.' I'm like, 'Really? OK, I'll get on.'"

Rollins, who missed most of April with a sprained left ankle, went 3-for-5 in his return Friday night, falling a triple short of hitting for the cycle. But the entire mood around the clubhouse changed. Manuel practically was giddy over being able to write Rollins' name in the lineup.

For all the offseason hand-wringing about how the Phillies would miss the leadership that hard-nosed center fielder Aaron Rowand took with him to San Francisco when he bolted in December for a free agent contract, they seem to be just fine following Rollins.

After all, he was the guy who boasted the Phillies would win the NL East last season, and then, he put up MVP numbers to make sure they did. Rollins, almost always smiling, seemingly energizes the clubhouse just by being there.

"I've never been in a position where I've missed more than like nine innings," said Rollins, who hadn't played fewer than 154 games in a season since 2001. "Even when I was out, I've been trying to help whenever I was around, whether it's hopefully getting Ryan back on track or whatever."

Said Manuel, "I think (No. 2 hitter Shane) Victorino definitely feeds off Jimmy. Our whole lineup definitely feeds off Jimmy. His speed, the things he can do, he plays a big role in it. That's how we manufacture runs.

"I'm happy we've got Jimmy and everybody else back now. It means we're going to play better. We're going to go get the (NL) East. We've got a good league. But when we're healthy, we've got a good chance."

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