MIAMI -- Roy Halladay’s difficult season continues …
The Phillies right-hander lasted just three batters before coming out of Monday night’s game against the Miami Marlins.
The official word: Halladay was experiencing arm fatigue.
Halladay walked two of the three batters he faced and got the other to pop out. His fastball topped out at 83 mph.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee visited Halladay at the mound after the pitcher walked rookie Christian Yelich, the third batter of the game. Dubee spoke with Halladay briefly then motioned for manager Ryne Sandberg and a team athletic trainer. After several moments of discussion, Halladay walked off the field.
Though it was 77 degrees inside air-conditioned Marlins Park, Halladay perspired heavily during the short outing.
The outing was the shortest of Halladay’s career. He threw 16 pitches -- just five for strikes.
Halladay had shoulder surgery in mid-May. He courageously made it back to the rotation in 3½ months, but has struggled to regain velocity on his pitches in six starts. He has also been plagued by control problems.
Halladay, 36, is scheduled to make his final start of the season this weekend in Atlanta. It is reasonable to wonder if that will even happen.
The Phillies have a decision to make on Halladay this winter as he will be a free agent at season’s end.