Friday, May 6, 2011
Posted: 4:03 p.m.Updated: 10:58 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
Pitcher Roy Oswalt has been scratched from Saturday nights scheduled start because of back soreness. Kyle Kendrick will make the start against Atlanta in Oswalts place.
Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list late Friday night and reliever Scott Mathieson was recalled from Triple A. The transaction is backdated to April 27 so Oswalt could be eligible to return in time to pitch in Atlanta next Friday night.
Oswalt said he had been feeling stiffness in his back since his last outing April 26 in Phoenix. Team athletic trainers will spend the week treating the condition in hopes of getting Oswalt back quickly.
Ive been a little bit tight since Arizona, Oswalt said Friday afternoon. It hasnt really gotten any better. I could probably pitch Saturday, but I couldnt promise anything on results. Well give it a few more days to see how it feels.
We dont think its structural, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. We just want to be careful with him.
Oswalt, who was scheduled to be seen by team doctors Friday night, said he could throw a bullpen session on Sunday or Monday if the stiffness subsides. He said he would probably want to pitch a couple of innings in a minor-league game before returning to big-league action. Such an assignmentrequires his being on the DL.
MLB
Oswalt left the team the day after he pitched in Phoenix on April 27. He returned to his Mississippi home, where he spent eight days helping family members clean up debris after several devastating tornadoes ripped through the area. Oswalt spent much time on a tractor, moving downed trees. He did not throw a baseball or receive treatment for an already sore back.
Moving trees on an excavator probably didnt help much, Amaro conceded. I dont think it did anything bad, but it probably didnt help much.
Oswalt returned to the club on Thursday and threw in the bullpen.
It bothers me when I really crank down on it, he said. I can go out and play catch and feel pretty good. When I start letting it go its kind of stiff.
Oswalt has been on the DL twice in his career with back issues, in 2006 and 2009.
Its a little bit of a concern, he said. I dont want to have it lingering into July or August, so maybe a few more days will help out some.
Oswalt hopes to be back in a week. The next few days will tell him more.
My biggest thing is I dont want to go out there and not be 100 percent, he said.
Utley Update
Chase Utley, recovering from right knee tendinitis, traveled to Clearwater, Fla., on Friday and will play in an extended spring training game Saturday. Extended spring training games are not official, so Utley can bat as many times as hed like and take innings off if he feels his knee needs a break. There is no timetable for his return to Philadelphia. He remains day-to-day based on how he feels.
He needs at-bats, Amaro said.
Utley has not played a competitive inning since October. Once he gets his legs, he will likely move to more competitive minor-league action on an official rehab assignment. That can last up to 20 days.
The Phillies and Utley have been trying to avoid surgery, which would be season-ending. If Utley does not respond well to increased activity in Florida, the Phillies will have to adjust their plan.
Its one of those injuries where theres not a whole lot of information about, Amaro said. If it doesnt go well well have to figure out a different plan.
More injury updates
Catcher Carlos Ruiz has not played in over a week due to a sore back. There is a chance he could end up on the DL, too, in the coming days.
Joe Blanton (sore right elbow) is penciled in to return to the rotation on Monday in Florida.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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