After leaving his last start after just two innings, the Phillies ace has been placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 28. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a right latissimus dorsi (shoulder) strain.
Although the Phillies have turned things around recently, a 26-24 record and last-place standing in the National League East are not what the organization envisioned at the start of the season. While the Phillies are only four games out of first place with over 100 games still to play, the loss of Halladay is going to put a strain on the pitching staff. Philadelphia has already fought through an injury to Cliff Lee earlier this season.
The good news for the Phillies is that Halladay will not have to go under the knife, at least for now. If the Phillies continue to hit like they have, the pitching staff may still have enough depth to make it through this injury.
Of course, losing Halladay isn’t exactly what the doctor ordered for climbing up the NL East standings.
