Amaro: Halladay 'in position' to make next start
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Amaro: Halladay 'in position' to make next start
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies have not internally discussed a shutdown for Roy Halladay, who is "in position" to make his next start, Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday.
Amaro, the Phillies' GM, said all examinations of Halladay's shoulder and back have "seemed OK." He said Halladay, at this point, is scheduled to make his next start. That should come Thursday against Washington.
Halladay described his latest injury as "spasms" behind his shoulder. Amaro said it is "tightness in his mid-to-upper back."
"It's taken a little bit of a toll on him," Amaro said. "We'll talk to the doctors today or tomorrow to see if we're risking any injury."
Their initial belief is that Halladay could finish the season without harm. The 35-year-old pitcher is due $20 million in 2013 and expressed a strong desire to make his final two starts in 2012.
Still, Halladay appeared emotionally drained Saturday in addition to being physically limited. Is there an advantage to shutting him down now?
"We'll talk the doctors and see if there is benefit," Amaro said. "We haven't made any decisions any way or another."
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I'm no Warbiscuit fan but this is a great opening post; it took time, knowledge and originality. Here's where I differ:
-- Ibanez wasn't an F. He consistently put up power numbers and could carry the team for a few weeks. A streaky hitter, below-average fielder and his third year was weak. But, overall, his signing was a B or B-.
-- Papelbon was signed at a premium because Amaro saw 2012 being a lot like 2011: He'd bet the franchise on starting pitching, and Ruben could see a lot of 2-1 and 3-1 wins coming from stud starters. In that case, you absolutely do NOT gamble with Bastardo-Contreras-Qualls and closer by committee. You get a proven reliever; Papelbon has lived up to expectations.
-- Polanco also is not an F. This year is a disaster for him and last year, halfway so (though he won a Gold Glove). An F over 3 years? No. Maybe C-.
-- Oswalt for 3 top prospects? Not an F. Acquiring him two years ago was when we made our playoff run. Would not have happened without him. I give that a B+.
-- Pence for 4 top prospects? Until one of those prospects has a decent Major League season -- just one season, which hasn't happened yet -- I rate that a C. Pence helped last year but his weaknesses really showed this season.
-- Howard's 5-year extension. I haven't given up the ghost yet. This is season one. If he rehabs more in the off-season and gains confidence, I'm cautiously optimistic -- not that he'll turn into Pujols or even a 2008 Ryan Howard, but that he can revert to 2011 form and maybe his extension earns a C or C-.
-- There's no point rating Willis, Pineiro and other lottery ticket signings. No harm, no foul.
-- Finally, Biscuit Man, good post. Lots of reaction. Good going.
— eman- If Halladay is truly healthy (which I personally doubt), then I have no problem having him have another start. Going into the off season with that last start being the LAST thing he did in 2012 to me as an athlete would be nightmare city,especially with the intensity this guy will no doubt put into his offseaon workload...If he can right that horrific outing going into the off-season, so be it...But if the brass has any inkling that his 89 mph fastball is more than just stiffness in cooler weather, then he should be shut down, something many have countered for a month now.— bearsfriend
- these are Amaro's grades; individual player grades are posted on other story— warbiscuit
- to be fair: Hamels contract extension $144 million: A-— warbiscuit
- If the Doc is dumb enough to keep pitching with a bad wing, who is at fault?— Konstanty
- Allowing Halladay to pitch when he was experiencing shoulder spasms cost the Phillies a chance at the wildcard. Nice going.— Freedom Fries
