Halladay's Injury Leaves Phillies Searching for Pitching Arms

[philliesfiend55]

Jamie Moyer just got DFA'd. Jon Garland is still a free agent.

it surprised me that Jon Garland, age 32 (132-119 lifetime) would even go to Spring Training unsigned, let alone not have any takers for the first third of the season.
However, upon looking his record up, that after a creditable 14-12 with a 3.46 ERA in 2010, Garland had a very tough season in 2011. He was 1-5, with a 4.33 ERA for the LA Dodgers through about this time last year before suffering a season-ending injury and missing the last four months of the season. He apparently hasn't convinced teams that he has recovered from that injury.

[Iowanic]

I think the cubs should get first dibs in Moyer. We're one of the few teams where he'd be a big help....

[Cowtipper]

Jamie Moyer just got DFA'd. Jon Garland is still a free agent.

[philliesfiend55]

By conservative estimates Phillies ace, Roy Halladay will miss at least the next month and a half. That would have him returning about a week after the all-star game break, in Mid-July. The Phillies run for a sixth straight division title could be virtually over by then if injured stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley don't return and hit near their usual standards, and/or if the Phillies don't find a suitable short term replacement for Halladay..
Right now their starting pitching rotation stands at Cole Hamels (fortunately having a career year at 8-1), Clif Lee (still winless), an unpredictable Joe Blanton, recovering from a serious 2011 injury, equally unpredictable, swing man Kyle Kendrick, pressed into the rotation from his usual "long man" relief duties, and a question mark for the #5 spot. Can sophomore Vance Worley return to the rotation soon, or will an injury he suffered in early May keep him of the rotation much longer.
There are a few minor league options for a stop-gap role in the rotation including prospects Tyler Cloyd and Austin Hyatt and former major leaguers Scott Elarton and Dave Bush. The Phillies will have to make a decision momentarily on whether they will give Bush a chance in Philadelphia. He signed a mnor league contract this winter that stipulates that he can become a Free Agent if he is not on the Phillies major league 25 man roster by June 1, which is only two days away.

Halladay's injury halted his drive towards the 200 wins and 2,000 strikeouts career milestones. His current lifetime record is 192-97, with 1,990 strikeouts.