Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Oswalt has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with lower back inflammation.
Oswalt left his previous start Thursday against St. Louis in the second inning. He had allowed four runs on five hits before succumbing to the pain that landed him on the DL earlier this year. He was scheduled to get an MRI on Friday, and there have been rumblings that the situation could end Oswalt's career if he receives bad results from the exam.
For now, it alters the Phillies' rotation going forward, including the highly anticipated three-game series with the Red Sox next week. Oswalt was in line to start the middle game of that set before his quick exit Thursday.
Cliff Lee will pitch in the opener against Boston. Vance Worley was in line to go in the finale on Thursday, although the Phillies could bring back standout lefty Cole Hamels on regular rest that day. Kyle Kendrick, who threw four innings of relief when Oswalt was knocked out, would likely slide into the rotation.
Kendrick allowed five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Red Sox at home last May 22. That was the game in which Daisuke Matsuzaka came within four outs of a no-hitter.
Boston has Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jon Lester lined up for the series against the NL leaders.
