Now we get to see what the Phillies are made of.
Unfortunately, we are already getting a glimpse of an all-too-familiar refrain. Yep, another key player is injured.
This time it’s catcher Carlos Ruiz. He suffered what was supposed to be a minor back injury last week. Now it looks like it might be a bit more than that. After his back did not respond to rest, Ruiz on Sunday became the latest of the Phils’ walking wounded to head to the DL.
Joe Blanton is coming off the DL today and likely will get the start tonight in Florida against the Marlins.
Roy Oswalt is expected to come off the injured list later this week. He’s also got an aching back.
And we should get word today from Florida how Chase Utley’s knee is responding to his first rehab game. Utley looked good on Saturday, smacking two home runs in a simulated game, then took yesterday off. If the kneee is a go today, he is expected to get a full rehab assignment in Florida.
In the meantime, the Phils somehow have managed to remain atop the NL East, despite all the injuries and a spotty offense that once again betrayed them last night in ESPN’s national TV game against the Braves.
The Phils wasted a pretty good effort from Cole Hamels, managing to scratch out just two runs. It was the same story Friday night, when Cliff Lee struck out 16, only to get tagged with the loss when the Phils offense faltered again.
The Phils now sit at 22-11, two games up on the Marlins as they head to Florida to kick off a key road trip.
The Phillies have for the most part feasted early in the season on bad teams. Now they start playing teams with better records.
They could stand to get healthy. And they also could stand to see some consistent offense.
Unfortunately, we are already getting a glimpse of an all-too-familiar refrain. Yep, another key player is injured.
This time it’s catcher Carlos Ruiz. He suffered what was supposed to be a minor back injury last week. Now it looks like it might be a bit more than that. After his back did not respond to rest, Ruiz on Sunday became the latest of the Phils’ walking wounded to head to the DL.
Joe Blanton is coming off the DL today and likely will get the start tonight in Florida against the Marlins.
Roy Oswalt is expected to come off the injured list later this week. He’s also got an aching back.
And we should get word today from Florida how Chase Utley’s knee is responding to his first rehab game. Utley looked good on Saturday, smacking two home runs in a simulated game, then took yesterday off. If the kneee is a go today, he is expected to get a full rehab assignment in Florida.
In the meantime, the Phils somehow have managed to remain atop the NL East, despite all the injuries and a spotty offense that once again betrayed them last night in ESPN’s national TV game against the Braves.
The Phils wasted a pretty good effort from Cole Hamels, managing to scratch out just two runs. It was the same story Friday night, when Cliff Lee struck out 16, only to get tagged with the loss when the Phils offense faltered again.
The Phils now sit at 22-11, two games up on the Marlins as they head to Florida to kick off a key road trip.
The Phillies have for the most part feasted early in the season on bad teams. Now they start playing teams with better records.
They could stand to get healthy. And they also could stand to see some consistent offense.
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