Oswalt leaves team due to personal reasons

PHOENIX -- Roy Oswalt has left the Phillies for personal reasons, a team official said Wednesday morning.

The team released a statement from general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.:

"There has been a tremendous amount of tornado activity near Roy's home in Mississippi resulting in several tragic deaths and significant devastation to the area. Because of this, Roy is concerned about his family's well-being. He has chosen to take time to make sure there wasn't significant damage to his home, but more importantly, to make certain that his wife and children are okay.

"It is almost a year to the day that his parents' home was destroyed by a tornado which has heightened his concern about the current situation.

We are hopeful that he will rejoin the team for his next start, but will take that day by day."

Oswalt pitched three innings Tuesday and allowed five earned runs. He was taken out after 57 pitches by Charlie Manuel. It was Oswalt's second start since being diagnosed with mid-back spasms.

The team official said Manuel removed Oswalt because of his ineffectiveness. The personal issue was not why Oswalt's start ended after three innings.

Amaro said Oswalt is not hurt.

"We're not going to make any more comment on it," Amaro said.

Oswalt left the Houston Astros last April when a tornado hit his hometown Weir, Miss., and destroyed his childhood home. Another band of severe storms and tornados moved through Choctaw County the last two days and caused six deaths in Mississippi.

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