Phillies Notes: Sore back sidelines Oswalt

The Phillies' depth continues to be tested in an early season marked as much by injuries as victories.

On Friday afternoon, the Phillies said that righthander Roy Oswalt would miss Saturday's scheduled start against Atlanta because of lower back inflammation.

After Friday's 5-0 loss to the Braves, the Phillies decided to place Oswalt on the disabled list retroactive to April 27. Righthander Scott Mathieson was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Kyle Kendrick will start against the Braves on Saturday. Oswalt is eligible to be recalled next Friday.

"I can play catch, and I feel good, but when I start letting it go, I feel it still," Oswalt said before Friday's game.

Oswalt last pitched April 26 in Arizona, allowing five earned runs in three innings during a 7-5 loss. The next day, he left for his home in Weir, Miss., to assess the damage done by tornadoes that swept through the area.

Oswalt returned to Philadelphia on Thursday and threw a bullpen session. He said he hadn't thrown in Mississippi.

"I actually thought the rest would help," Oswalt said.

Oswalt said his back was hurting during his previous start, a 3-0 win April 21 at San Diego. In that game, he pitched six shutout innings, striking out seven.

"It started in San Diego, and I didn't tell anybody and kind of got through it and felt I'd be fine for Arizona, too," he said. "It's not to the point where it was unbearable, but it is a little bit of a concern."

Oswalt said he probably will throw Sunday or Monday to see how he feels. He didn't rule out pitching in a minor-league game before returning.

Oswalt has been on the DL twice for back injuries. While with Houston, he was out June 6-13, 2006, with a mid-back sprain.

On Sept. 16, 2009, he went on the DL with a season-ending lower back strain.

In Mississippi, Oswalt cleared trees on his property with an excavator and a bulldozer. He scoffed when asked whether that could have contributed to his back woes.

"I was sitting down, like I am in this chair," he said while sitting in front of his locker.

Kendrick hasn't made a start this year, but he has made 83 career starts with the Phillies. He last pitched on Sunday, getting the loss after three innings of relief in a 14-inning, 2-1 defeat by the visiting New York Mets. He threw 46 pitches.

"I definitely think I can go at least five [innings]," Kendrick said.

Manager Charlie Manuel and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said righthander Vance Worley also could see action Saturday.

According to pitching coach Rich Dubee, Worley was supposed to throw a bullpen session Friday but was held out due to the possibility of his pitching Saturday. Worley threw six innings in Wednesday's 7-4 win over Washington. He allowed one run and threw 94 pitches.

Kendrick will oppose righthander Julio Teheran, the top prospect in the Braves system who will be making his major-league debut. The 20-year-old Teheran was 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts with triple-A Gwinnett. Righthander Jair Jurrjens (3-0, 1.52 ERA), originally scheduled to start, will go Sunday instead.

Amaro expressed confidence that Joe Blanton, who is on the disabled list with a right elbow impingement, will be activated and pitch on Monday.

Blanton threw a bullpen session Thursday and will have another Saturday. He said after Thursday's session that it went well.

Chase Utley has left to participate in extended spring training, another step in his comeback from a sore right knee.

Utley will play in an extended-spring-training game Saturday in Dunedin, Fla.

"There is a process, but we are taking things day-to-day," Amaro said.

Catcher Carlos Ruiz remains day-to-day with a sore back. Amaro said the team should know more about his status in a day or two. He has not played since April 27.