by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay has been pretty confident that he can return this season, but team doctor Michael Ciccotti told reporters it is not out of the realm of possibility that Halladay could end up missing the rest of the season.
"That’s very possible," Ciccotti said. "The combination of a rotator cuff injury and a labral injury is a challenging injury for a professional pitcher to navigate through."
Despite that worst-case prognosis, the team was pretty happy with the results of Halladay's shoulder surgery, and thinks he can begin a throwing program in six to eight weeks.
"It’s very possible. It is very possible," he said. "Well, we remain cautiously optimistic about it. And given the person that he is, the motivation that he has, the dedication that he has, he has all the intangibles that are important in getting someone back. But we’re realistic about it, too, that it is very possible that he is not pitching at the level that he wants or what Phillies fans and his teammates deserve him to be pitching at."
Halladay's best-case scenario probably involves him returning to the mound in three months.
Roy Halladay has successful shoulder surgery
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Phillies starter Roy Halladay had successful shoulder surgery Wednesday.
The team issued a statement Thursday, saying "Roy had successful shoulder surgery yesterday. He had an arthroscopic evaluation and underwent debridement of his labrum and rotator cuff as well as removal of an inflamed bursa."
Halladay will begin his rehab shortly, and could begin throwing again in six to eight weeks. Through 34 1/3 innings this year, Halladay has an 8.65 ERA and a 6.22 FIP.
Phillies to update Roy Halladay's status Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) The Phillies announced Wednesday they will wait until Thursday to give an official statement on how Roy Halladay's surgery went, according to the Delaware County Daily Times. Halladay's surgery was performed Wednesday in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Roy Halladay set for surgery
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) The Phillies announced Thursday that starting pitcher Roy Halladay will go under the knife for shoulder surgery Wednesday. He will travel to Los Angeles to have the surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Halladay had his right shoulder examined Wednesday and hopes to return from the athroscopic procedure later in the season. A concrete timeline is not yet known, but the surgery is not considered a major, reconstructive procedure.
"The doctor seemed pretty optimistic that if what they saw is correct, I could come back and be a lot more effective and have a chance to pitch this year," Halladay said during a press conference Wednesday. "He said he thought they could turn back the clock two or three years for me.
"I thought it was very good news. Obviously I don’t want to miss time, but I think as far as scenarios go, I feel like it's a lot better than some of the things I anticipated."
What to do with Roy Halladay
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) With the news that Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay is set to undergo surgery on his right shoulder, another pitcher who was expected to be a big contributor is on the shelf. Scott White had Halladay ranked 17th among players on the disabled list in his Reality Check column Tuesday, but that was before news of his surgery broke.
The team has not given a timetable for his recovery, but Halladay speculated that he could return within three months. That's an awfully long time, but it still leaves nearly two full months of action for him to contribute at the end of the season, even on the low end. Halladay's struggles prior to the injury are a concern, but if we assume the operation will repair his structural issues, Halladay could make an impact.
Halladay does have a 5.92 ERA over the last calendar year, so Fantasy owners are right to be skeptical about his chance to change their fortunes over the long run. If you have an open DL spot to play with on your roster, by all means, stash Halladay. But if you've already been hit hard by injuries and need reinforcements, Halladay is by no means a must-hold. Keeping Halladay on your roster while facing a lengthy recovery is the very definition of a luxury, and one many owners may not be able to afford.
Roy Halladay to have surgery, could return in 2013
"In certain cases it's been three months, but we really don't have a timetable," Halladay said. "A scope and a cleanup to me is a lot different than a surgery. They aren't going in and trying to reattach the rotator cuff, which would be a year and a half and really, very low success rate of pitching again. The fact that it's a scope, a cleanup, to me is a lot better than going in and having to reattach a full surgery. It's a lot better option, obviously it's a lot quicker, and at my age I think it's the best thing for me."
Manager optimistic about Roy Halladay
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Phillies manager Charlie Manuel expressed optimism Wednesday about the status of injured pitcher Roy Halladay (shoulder) during a interview with MLB Radio Network on SiriusXM Radio.
"They'll announce something either today or tomorrow about his condition, and about what will happen," Manuel said. "I think he stands a great chance of pitching again this year, but I need to wait until they announce something."
Roy Halladay expected to update status Wednesday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay rejoined the team Tuesday at San Francisco following his visit to Dr. Lewis Yocum.
He has met with general manager Ruben Amaro and manager Charlie Manuel and is expected to give an update on his condition Wednesday, according to MLB.com. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with right shoulder inflammation after starting the season 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA in seven starts.
Roy Halladay to be examined Tuesday
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) The Phillies announced pitcher Roy Halladay will travel to Los Angeles to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum Tuesday. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with right shoulder inflammation.
Halladay is 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA in seven starts.
Hold on to Roy Halladay for now
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/6/2013) With Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay hitting the DL, it may seem like the perfect time to cut him loose and grab a replacement if you're running a Fantasy team with a full set of DL spots. But this probably is better left to 10-team leagues, which have decent options on the waiver wire.
While things look pretty grim for Halladay right now -- trips to see Dr. Lewis Yocum rarely have happy endings -- there's always the outside chance that he may just need something like a month of rest and strengthening. And leaving Halladay exposed on the waiver wire for another team to pick up, before his diagnosis is announced, may end up hurting his former owner more than the corresponding pickup would help.
It's likely Halladay gets bad news and will be widely dropped in the next week or so, but there's little to gain from jumping the gun and cutting him loose before we know the extent of his injury. Prepare yourself to release him, but there's little sense in doing so before we know what's wrong with him.
Roy Halladay moved to disabled list
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) As anticipated, the Phillies placed pitcher Roy Halladay on the 15-day disabled list Monday with right shoulder inflammation, the team announced. It's the second straight season the veteran right-hander has surfaced on the shelf as he awaits further examination of his ailing shoulder geared to help determine the exact cause of his problems this year.
Halladay managed just 2 1/3 innings in a 14-2 blowout loss to the Marlins Sunday as his trademark pinpoint command eluded him. He walked four batters and hit two with pitches while needing a whopping 65 pitches (35 strikes) to complete his outing. Over 34 1/3 total innings this year, he has walked 17 batters. He had not issued more than 40 walks in any of his previous five seasons.
The Phillies did not immediately announce who will start in Halladay's place Friday at Arizona and recalled reliever Joe Savery from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take his place on the active roster for now.
Roy Halladay provided few clues of injury
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay said he started experiencing pain in his right shoulder only after his fifth start April 24 against Pittsburgh, but did not alert team officials of any discomfort until after Sunday's rocky outing. Halladay has made two starts since that no-decision against the Pirates, including Sunday, and allowed 17 runs with six walks and just seven strikeouts over six total innings.
"I thought it was kind of regular soreness," Halladay told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday. "It's not something that I had before. "It's something new this year. I felt good all spring, felt good all year, I just got up after that start in Pittsburgh and had soreness and just wasn't able to get rid of it."
Halladay, whose start Sunday against Miami was his worst since his rookie season, has given up at least five earned runs in four of his seven starts for an unsightly 8.65 ERA. He also hit two batters with pitches and threw another behind a batter, raising alarms of a possible injury.
"It's kind of progressed over the last two weeks or so. It's right shoulder soreness, and I'm going to have it looked at in the next few days," Halladay said. "Once we get more information back, we'll obviously let people know what's going on."
Roy Halladay heading to DL with shoulder soreness
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay (2-4) is expected to land on the disabled list after an abysmal outing against the Marlins, according to the Courier Times.
Halladay was pummeled again as he surrendered nine runs and four hits over 2 1/3 innings on Sunday. He struck out four and walked four in 65 pitches, 35 strikes. He has allowed a whopping 17 runs in his last six innings of work.
The 35-year-old revealed that been dealing with a sore shoulder since April 25. Halladay is expected to visit Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles for further evaluations.
"Clearly, he doesn't seem like he’s very healthy," general manager Ruben Amaro said. "Pretty apparent with his performance today unfortunately."
Roy Halladay's latest start no cause for alarm
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/1/2013) After three terrific starts, the Phillies' Roy Halladay had another disastrous one Wednesday at Cleveland, but judging by some of his comments to the Philadelphia Inquirer after the game, it's all part of the learning process as he adapts to his reduced stuff.
For what it's worth, his velocity was as good as it's been this year. He averaged 90.4 miles per hour on his fastball compared to 90.6 last year. His pitch selection just wasn't ideal.
Halladay may have occasional starts like this one as he figures out what no longer works for him, but as his previous three starts show, he can still be effective with a reduced fastball. He just can't be as creative.
Roy Halladay implodes vs. Indians
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) After allowing just a run in six innings his last start, Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay took a step back as he surrendered three home runs and suffered his third loss of the season Tuesday night against the Indians.
Halladay surrendered two, two-run home runs in the first inning. He then allowed a two-run shot -- to Lonnie Chisenhall -- in the fourth. The right-hander lasted 3 2/3 innings allowing eight runs on nine hits and striking out three with two walks.
It was the first time in his career (383 starts) that he's allowed two first-inning home runs. Halladay, who allowed 52 home runs from 2010-12, has given up eight this season, which is three times the rate of homers allowed as 2010-12.
The 35-year-old next pitches Sunday at home against the lowly Marlins. He allowed a run in eight innings his last time out against Miami April 14.
Roy Halladay in vintage form
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay was in vintage form Wednesday night against the Pirates, allowing just one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out eight batters in six innings. However, he was denied the win when the Pirates scored four runs over the final three innings.
That's three great starts from Halladay after two terrible performances to start the year. His ERA sank to 5.08 with the no-decision, and he now has a 28:11 K:BB ratio in 28 1/3 innings. He'll take on the Indians in Cleveland Tuesday in his next start.
Decision time for Roy Halladay?
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Whether you think Phillies starter Roy Halladay is about to find the form that made him a yearly Cy Young contender or if you think he is done, the time to make a move on him is drawing close.
In his Reality Check column Tuesday, our Scott White advises Fantasy owners on both sides of the fence to make a decision on Halladay, while his future remains unclear. If you think Halladay is done and have him on the roster, now would be the time to start dangling him to other owners, before Halladay removes any doubt.
Conversely, if you have watched Halladay a few times and think he is about to begin an upward trend, go ahead and try to convince your opponents to give him up, before they start to see what you do. Either way, sitting on your hands with regards to Halladay could leave you with severely limited options.
Roy Halladay throws truncated complete game
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay continued to put his slow start behind him Friday, as he threw a seven-inning, rain-shortened complete game in a 8-2 win over the Cardinals.
Halladay limited the Cardinals to two runs, both on solo homers. Those were the only hits Halladay allowed, as he struck out six and walked two. He threw 59 of 109 pitches for strikes while improving his record to 2-2.
Halladay earned his second win in a row and his ERA to 6.04, after allowing 12 runs in his first 7 1/3 innings of the season. Halladay has 20 strikeouts and nine walks in 22 1/3 innings. He has allowed five home runs.
Halladay will start Wednesday against the Pirates. Halladay threw eight shutout innings in a winning effort the last time he faced the Pirates.
Still reason to be concerned about Roy Halladay
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay finally seemed to figure things out Sunday, tossing eight strong innings against the Marlins. Even with the strong start, there's still some reason for Fantasy owners to be concerned.
Halladay's velocity continued to trend down. His fastball has averaged about 90.08 mph this year, which is down from 91.15 mph last season. It should be noted, however, that Halladay's velocity started low last year and jumped in May. Sunday, his fastball averaged 89.41 mph, which was slightly down from his last game.
The Marlins haven't been hitting anyone this season, so there's also a question of the competition he dominated Sunday. Halladay did show some improvement, but owners might want to stay cautious until he does it again.
New approach helps Roy Halladay
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) It may have come at the expense of perhaps the worst team in the majors, but Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay appears to have discovered a remedy for his early struggles.
Halladay (1-2) worked past two highly criticized starts to open the season and yielded just one run over eight innings Sunday during a win over the Marlins, who entered the game ranked last in the majors in runs and home runs.
"More than anything, I had been putting a lot of pressure on myself," said Halladay, who completed eight innings for the first time since Aug. 10, 2012. "In the past I tried to control too much and do too much and worry about too much. Today the plan was simpler -- execute pitches one at a time, and not worry about what's going on, and it made a big difference."
Improved Roy Halladay claims 200th win
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay (1-2) rebounded from a pair of poor outings to begin the season, working eight innings to secure his 200th career win during Philadelphia's 2-1 victory at Miami on Sunday. Halladay permitted only one run and five hits to become the 109th pitcher in MLB history to reach the 200-win milestone -- and first Phillie since Hall of Famer Steve Carlton in 1978.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner worked efficiently against a punchless Marlins lineup that was missing Giancarlo Stanton, but still recorded a season-low two strikeouts while walking a batter. He trimmed his ERA from 14.73 to 7.63.
After battling injuries for part of the 2012 campaign, Halladay came under fire during a rocky spring that carried over into the season when he failed to complete more than four innings in his first two starts and allowed three homers. But he needed just 87 pitches (58 strikes) to complete Sunday's outing -- 12 less than his total from his previous start that lasted just four innings.
Halladay will attempt to carry the momentum into his next projected start Friday against St. Louis, a team which tagged him for a 4.50 ERA in two games last season.
Scouts dishonoring Roy Halladay
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/11/2013) While two young pitchers in the NL East -- the Mets' Matt Harvey and Jose Fernandez of the Marlins -- have received plenty of acclaim early in the season, Phillies veteran hurler Roy Halladay continues to be met with criticism. Halladay, who averaged 20 wins in his first two seasons with Philadelphia, has totaled the same number of strikeouts as runs allowed (12) for an unsightly 14.73 ERA.
The right-hander's glaring struggles prompted one scout to declare: "He's not hurt -- he's just done." Halladay has failed to pitch past the fourth inning this year and needed 99 pitches in his last outing Monday against the Mets -- he tossed fewer pitches when finishing two of his nine complete games during the 2010 campaign.
"He should forget about trying to find the missing velocity," another scout told CBSSports.com on Thursday. "I know he's been who he is because of his sinker and cutter, but I'd have him go away from those and work on spotting his four-seam fastball."
Phillies being patient with Roy Halladay
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Charlie Manuel told reporters Tuesday they are committed to pitcher Roy Halladay despite his struggles.
"Roy has earned the right to tell us how he feels, and how he wants to go about certain things when it comes to his routine and his pitching and things like that," Manuel said. "We never once thought about shutting him down or nothing. I can tell you that. You know something else? Shutting him down ain’t the right way, either. I don’t see no way in the world, if he’s healthy and everything like that, we shut him down."
The right-hander allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks Monday night against the Mets and has a 14.73 ERA in two starts. Amaro told reporters that Halladay is not dealing with any injuries and has not appeared on any of the team's injury reports.
"He hasn't complained of any pain," Amaro said. "He hasn't complained of any issues. He just doesn't have the same velocity and we have to live with it."
Roy Halladay says problems are mental, not physical
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay says his early season struggles are mental, not physical.
Halladay may have admitted to pressing during his first two starts, saying "sometimes the best course of action is to prepare yourself and let it come to you." Halladay remembered the advice of one of his mentors, sports psychiatrist Harvey Dorfman, who helped him develop his mentality on the mound.
Through two starts, Halladay has a 14.73 ERA and a 7.94 FIP this season.
An encouraging sign amidst Roy Halladay's struggles
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (4/9/2013) After getting rocked for the second start in a row in the Phillies' 7-2 loss to the Mets on Monday, Roy Halladay revealed to reporters that he was trying to control his pitches too much. That might not sound like a good thing, but I'd rather hear that news instead of finding out that there's a health issue.
The good news is that Halladay's fastball velocity was slightly up from his previous start, and he told MLB.com that he could command his pitches during his pre-game bullpen session. It may not be an easy feat for Halladay to overcome a mental block, but the fact that he is acknowledging it is a positive sign.
I would likely sit Halladay next week against the Cardinals, but a good showing there, as well as against the Marlins this Sunday, would encourage me to get him back in the lineup.
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) After getting beat up for five runs over 3 1/3 innings in his season debut, Phillies starter Roy Halladay turned in another poor showing Monday night against the Mets.
He allowed seven runs on six hits with three walks over four-plus innings of a 7-2 loss.
The right-hander surrendered a three-run homer to John Buck in the second before New York pushed across another run the following inning.
Halladay came back out to start the fifth but gave up a leadoff double before David Wright hit an RBI single. He allowed a third-straight hit and was pulled for Chad Durbin, who allowed both inherited runners to score.
“I would say 95 percent is mental,” Halladay said. “It’s simplifying, it’s getting to the basics. It’s letting things happen and to trying to force things. It’s a game of failure and I’ve had my fair share. Some days you’re a horse and some days you’re a horse’s ass, and I’ve been a horse’s ass for a little while. It’s something that I’ve dealt a lot with in the past and I feel like I can overcome. The more you want it, the harder it is. You almost have to really back that off and put some perspective in the whole thing.”
The 35-year-old has a 14.73 ERA.
Roy Halladay gets new catcher for game two
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) In his second start of the season, Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay will be caught by Humberto Quintero.
Halladay questioned some of Erik Kratz's pitch selections after his first start of the season, which may have caused the change. If Halladay is able to turn things around, Quintero could be in line to become his personal starter.
Roy Halladay should look to go deeper in next two starts
by Joe Polito | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013) Nine strikeouts are nothing to be ashamed of, but Roy Halladay saw his first start cut short in the fourth inning after giving up five runs on six hits, including two home runs, against the Braves. Halladay will attempt to go deeper for the Phillies next week, with starts against the Mets Monday and the Marlins Sunday.
One of the biggest problems with Halladay’s first start was that he only recorded one out other than his nine strikeouts. He said it was a just case of being “too picky,” but it certainly was worrisome enough for the Phillies to pull him. The 83 percent of Fantasy owners starting him hope he can fine-tune his arsenal.
Braves react to Roy Halladay's short outing
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay recorded nine strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings during his season debut Wednesday, but the Braves noticed a difference with the veteran right-hander starter, who was pulled after allowing five runs on six hits (two homers) and three walks.
"It was a little bit different," manager Fredi Gonzalez said, per MLB.com. "I couldn’t tell you what it is. His velocity was maybe a (tick) or two below what you’ve seen. But I couldn’t tell you much more than that, not living with him or not knowing what’s going on over there."
Halladay said he was "trying to be too picky, too fine" and said he will fix his problems.
"Not velocity wise," said rightfielder Jason Heyward, when asked if Halladay looked the same. "But he has a lot of weapons. So it was no surprise to see the strikeouts. Once he gets two strikes against you with him, he can got whatever way he wants and pick at you. We did wear him down and we made sure we got some pitches to hit. When we hit him, we hit him hard."
Roy Halladay fans nine while setting dubious record
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay set a dubious record in his first start of the 2013 season, striking out nine Braves Wednesday but lasting just 3 1/3 innings while surrendering five earned runs on six hits (two home runs) and three walks.
As pointed out by the Philadelphia Inquirer on Twitter, Halladay was the first pitcher in history to strike out at least nine batters while recording 10 or fewer outs. He threw 95 pitches on the night, with 40 coming in the first inning. It wasn't the debut Halladay was hoping for following a mediocre 2012 season. His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Mets.
Roy Halladay knocked around in spring finale
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Phillies starter Roy Halladay allowed two runs on a discouraging eight hits and two walks in his final spring start Thursday against Toronto. But on a positive note, he struck out six.
Halladay's velocity was better Thursday, as he scraped into the 90s and hovered mostly in the upper 80s with his fastball. Still, there's nowhere near enough in this start to assuage the fears of a spring replete with poor outings. Halladay finishes the spring with a 6.06 ERA over 16.1 innings.
Roy Halladay still not inspiring much confidence
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/25/2013) So against a bunch of Triple-A players Saturday, the Phillies' Roy Halladay retired seven of 18 batters with only three swing-and-misses all day.
That's a concern, particularly as his velocity continues to lag. Of his 81 pitches, only one hit 90 miles per hour.
He did say afterward that he'll have access to scouting reports during the season that should allow him to develop a more effective game plan, but with less juice on his fastball than even last year, I don't know how much of a difference game planning will make.
Of course, because the big drop in Halladay's velocity came last year, as long as you were satisfied with those numbers -- and the WHIP and strikeout rate really weren't so bad -- maybe all this talk of his demise is overblown.
But if you're drafting him earlier than Round 10 or 11, you shouldn't be satisfied with those numbers.
Roy Halladay not a concern for Phillies
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) With plenty of curiosity surrounding pitcher Roy Halladay, the Phillies maintained their stance on the veteran right-hander in spite of another rough outing. Halladay was hit hard during a minor-league appearance Saturday and his fastball only hit 90 mph once, in the first inning, but team officials continued to insist he is healthy.
"After what he’s gone through, he was fine," pitching coach Rich Dubee told MLB.com Sunday. "I’m not looking for results right now. The good part was he threw 80 pitches, he felt strong and felt like he could have thrown more. ... I think the more we get it right, the more it will come out."
Ridiculed Roy Halladay feeling strong
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) In a spring that has been heavily scrutinized, Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay struggled to dismiss lingering concerns about his effectiveness during a minor-league outing on Saturday. He retired just seven of the 18 batters he faced against a collection of Blue Jays minor-league players over four innings, issuing two walks and hitting a batter.
"I felt good. I was trying to talk him into letting me throw a few more. Arm-wise I felt really good," said Halladay, who was making his first appearance since leaving last Sunday's outing with an illness. "I think more than anything it took a toll on consistency, really in my lower half."
Halladay remained upbeat despite his sagging velocity as his fastball sailed in the upper-80s and reached 90 mph only once. The right-hander insisted he will be ready for his first turn in the rotation on April 3.
“No, to me it’s a competition. It’s not a boxing match. It’s not a strength vs. strength (thing). It’s a chess match," he said. "It’s a competition of the mind: execution and being smarter and being more prepared. To me that’s what I’ve enjoyed."
Roy Halladay to pitch in minor-league game
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) The Phillies announced Wednesday starting pitcher Roy Halladay, who has been battling a stomach virus, had a successful bullpen Wednesday and will pitch in a minor-league game Saturday. He continues to build up strength as he recovers from his illness.
Roy Halladay aiming to regain strength
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay returned to camp Tuesday for the first time since leaving Sunday's exhibition start with a stomach virus, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Halladay said he plans to throw a bullpen session Wednesday before making his next scheduled start Saturday, barring any setbacks.
"Just trying to get strength back," said Halladay, who lost about 10 pounds from the sickness. "I'm kind of a little bit weak and jittery right now I guess from not eating and passing a lot of fluids and stuff. I feel better. Hopefully each day I will get that strength back a little bit."
Halladay has made five starts during the spring, but has not pitched more than four innings in any outing and managed just one inning on Sunday. Still, the veteran right-hander believes he will be ready for the start of the regular season.
"I think that if I keep from today on I continue to get stronger and stronger each day, I'll be fine," he said. "I think if I can get to 90 (pitches) by the end of spring, I feel like I can throw 100 to 105."
Roy Halladay still feeling sick
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay just can't seem to shake the stigma of his troubling spring. Halladay, who has been harassed by questions surrounding his velocity issues, was sent home for the second straight day Monday because of a stomach illness.
He managed just one inning and 25 pitches during Sunday's Grapefruit League outing -- his fifth start of the spring -- before leaving the game with the issue. "We just have to wait for him to get healthy and get back on the mound," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday. "We can’t really say much about it other than wait until he gets back on the mound. I would assume he’s going to be ready. But we have to make sure he gets healthy first."
Amaro also addressed the larger concern surrounding Halladay -- the whispers that he is pitching with a dead shoulder -- and immediately squashed that possibility. The veteran right-hander has hovered around the mid-80s with his fastball during the spring and also claimed he felt lethargic after a start last week. "There is no indication that he’s suffering from any discomfort or anything like that," Amaro said. "That’s good."
Roy Halladay's early exit oddly encouraging
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/18/2013) Making another start after a curious bout with lethargy that left his fastball in the mid-80s, Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay lasted only one inning Sunday against the Orioles. He had supposedly worked with pitching coach Rich Dubee to fix his mechanics during a bullpen in between, but he was still hitting only 87 in the contest.
Of course, he was also sick -- sweats, vomitting, everything else you'd expect -- which somehow makes me feel better about the whole thing. I see more room for a sick pitcher to improve on 87 than a lethargic one to improve on 85.
Baby steps, right? I'm still more in the Roy Halladay-is-a-bust camp than not, but I'm keeping him in my top 35 at starting pitcher.
Phillies defend Roy Halladay's sickly start
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) When Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay left Sunday's Grapefruit League game after the first inning, the team insisted the early removal was directly prompted by a stomach virus and not related to a shoulder issue that forced him to miss nearly two months last season. Halladay lasted just 25 pitches against Baltimore, allowing one hit and a walk.
He was sweating profusely when he was pitching and at one point bent over behind the mound. "He was throwing up a little bit," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "He threw up after he came out after the first inning. He was sick before (the game), but he's hardheaded. He wanted to pitch, and he threw up and we took him out of the game."
Halladay, who did not speak with reporters, was roughed up in his previous start and said he felt "lethargic" afterward. Phillies catcher Erik Kratz, who caught Halladay both times this week, said his batterymate looked good in the abbreviated outing, aside from the sickness.
"He was executing his pitches," Kratz said. "His cutter was cutting. His sinker was sinking, and he was throwing them on the corners. For him, that's huge. I don't have any idea what his velocity was, and that's neither here nor there, because when he's on, he's locating his pitches. And he was able to do that."
Roy Halladay can't stomach outing
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay left Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Baltimore after just one inning because of a stomach virus, the team announced. Halladay, who has been plagued by decreased velocity this spring, allowed one hit and a walk before leaving the dugout at the start of the second inning. He was sweating profusely when he was pitching and at one point bent over behind the mound.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner was roughed up in his last start against Detroit, surrendering seven runs and six hits, including a pair of homers, in less than three innings. He said he felt "lethargic" afterward, but insisted he was not hurt. Halladay missed almost two months last year with a shoulder problem.
Halladay's fastball was reportedly clocked between 85-87 mph during his his 25-pitch outing Sunday, which has been his concerning range throughout the spring.
Roy Halladay's struggles a concern
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/14/2013) So Roy Halladay is working in the bullpen with Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee? Well, good for him. He needs to make an adjustment for me to get back on his bandwagon in Fantasy. I get that he was feeling lethargic when he allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Tigers on Tuesday. He's 35. It's spring. He's allowed. But hearing he was hitting only 84-88 miles per hour with his fastball is scary. We all blamed his strained lat for his reduced velocity last year, but if anything, it's only gotten worse. Maybe he just needs a mechanical tweak, but I'm not staking my season on Dubee's discerning eye.
Roy Halladay trying to fix pitching problems
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013)The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay went through a coaching-intensive bullpen session Thursday after struggling during his latest spring outing Tuesday. With pitching coach Rich Dubee providing instructions, Halladay threw 39 pitches -- 20 from the windup. Halladay is 2-1 with a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through four spring starts (11 innings). He also allowed three homers and six walks, while striking out nine.
Dubee: Halladay is healthy
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/13/2013) Philadelphia pitching coach Rich Dubee insists that starter Roy Halladay is healthy this season, despite his early struggles and the fact that the same was said last year although he actually was banged up, reports MLB.com. "He had issues last year," Dubee said. "He can't make it public. Why should he? You guys don't need to know everything, first of all. This guy didn't want anybody to know he was banged up last year. He is not having anything this year. He is not having any physical problems this year. Any. Arm. Back. Legs. Nothing."
Halladay's start causes concern
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay was rocked for seven runs and six hits in just 2 2/3 innings during Philadelphia's Grapefruit League contest against Detroit on Tuesday. Halladay was visibly wild and walked four batters -- doubling his total from the previous three outings combined (two) -- with two strikeouts. He also fired a wild pitch and hit a batter during his 69-pitch outing -- two highly uncharacteristic traits for the veteran right-hander. All but one of his runs were allowed on a pair of homers, including a grand slam in the third inning. "Yeah, it concerns me," manager Charlie Manuel told reporters. "But at the same time, I been in the game long enough to know that if theres nothing wrong with him, you keep working with him. If hes healthy and well and theres nothing wrong with him, then hes gotta get stretched out and everything."
Halladay dominant against Nats
(3/6/2013) Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay pitched four shutout innings against the Nationals on Wednesday, giving up just two hits and a walk. He struck out two batters, throwing 33 of his 56 pitches for strikes.
Halladay continues strong spring
(3/1/2013)Roy Halladay struck out three Yankees in his second outing of the spring Friday, allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings. Halladay now has five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings on the spring, giving up two total runs. "The big thing going forward is to get comfortable with my curveball and cutter," he said. "I feel good right now the way I feel physically and conditioning wise. Really, I think that is ahead of everything else, and it's a matter of just fine-tuning the pitches."
Halladay looks good in debut
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/24/2013) Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay took the mound opposite Detroit's Justin Verlander to open his spring training on Sunday. Halladay, who missed two months last season with a lat injury and dealt with several other ailments last year, threw 22 pitches and surrendered a home run to Victor Martinez. That said, that was the lone man to reach base against him. The hardest part of every spring training is slowing yourself down, Halladay said. But I felt good. I felt like that was the biggest thing. Five or six pitches I rushed Im happy with where things are. Halladay pitched two innings and one scout's radar gun clocked him between 89-91 mph, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Halladay wows during live BP
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/19/2013)The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay, who missed two months with a lat injury and labored through a lower back injury last season, received rave reviews Tuesday after throwing live batting practice. "He looked great. He looked like Roy Halladay," third baseman Michael Young said. "That was the Roy Halladay I remember seeing all those years in the American League. Everything was down in the zone; it had some zip; it was coming out of his hand really nice. I thought he looked great." Halladay is expected to throw another live batting practice session before pitching in his first spring game. "Doc was fine, Doc was fine," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "Overall, I thought it was a good day of BP today."
'Confident' Halladay healthy
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/13/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay revealed Wednesday lower back problems were to blame for his shoulder woes in 2012. Halladay said doctors eventually determined issues with his lower back, which he had trouble loosening up throughout the season, caused him to change the mechanics of his upper torso. In order to combat the problem this season, Halladay said he completely changed his offseason conditioning program to focus more on movements to build strength and flexibility in his lower back and core. "I feel as good now as I have any other spring training," Halladay said, per the Philadelphia Daily News. "Last year, it wasn't as if I felt bad, it just never really clicked for me. I'm confident that if I can maintain the way I feel right now, I'm confident I can be effective."
Halladay has 'progressed nicely'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013) MLB.com reports Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said starting pitcher Roy Halladay, who had a disappointing 2012 season, is upbeat as spring training begins. Halladay missed about six weeks last season because of a strained right lat muscle. "I know hes talking better. He feels a lot stronger," Dubee said. "Its going to take him a while to put all the pieces together in his delivery like anybody, but thats what spring training is for. So hes got to find that comfort zone. But as far as his arm feeling well and his strength feeling good, hes progressed nicely." Dubee has confidence in Halladay bouncing back, but he's as eager anyone to see how Halladay performs in 2012. "I know one thing: theres going to be an animal on the mound competing," Dubee said. "Again, I think all the offseason stuff has put him in a much better position to be who he used to be. Whether he can come all the way back to that, thats what time will tell."
(1/22/2013) CSNPhilly reports Phillies starter Roy Halladay threw 30 pitches off the mound at Clearwater on Tuesday in front of pitching coach Rich Dubee. Halladay, who missed about six weeks last season because of a strained right lat muscle, tweaked his mechanics this offseason in an effort to preserve his shoulder.
Halladay adjusts mechanics
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/10/2013) According to CSNPhilly.com, Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay has tweaked his mechanics in the offseason in an effort to preserve his shoulder. The 35-year-old missed about six weeks last summer because of a strained right lat muscle, and his velocity was down all season. Hes doing real well, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "[Pitching coach Rich Dubee] saw him throw. He feels good. His mechanics look good. Everything is positive. Hes getting loose faster than in the past.