Halladay unlikely to start Thursday

Apparently it’s not a done deal that Roy Halladay will start Thursday night’s home finale against the Washington Nationals. According to the press notes, Kyle Kendrick was moved up to pitch Wednesday night. Thursday night is listed as TBA (to be announced). With the Phillies’ playoff chances diminishing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tyler Cloyd start on fan appreciation night. The rookie would be starting on extra rest.

Halladay was rocked Saturday afternoon by the Braves. He gave up seven runs in an inning and two-thirds, the second shortest of his enviable career.

The baseball world was wondering what was up with Halladay, who was on the disabled list for eight weeks with a right lat strain. Well, the 2010 Cy Young Award winner shed some light on what might have affected his dismal performance after Saturday’s game.

He admitted that he has had some spasms behind his right shoulder blade over the last few days. That prompted Doc to see a doc the day before his start.

“I had some stuff going on and was checked out” Halladay said. “It’s more like spasms. The doctors said it was nothing they were concerned about.”

But the Phillies have to be concerned about Halladay’s condition. The club is on the hook for $20 million to Halladay for 2013. So perhaps it would be in the club’s and Halladay’s best interest to shut down the one-time stopper for the remainder of the lost season.

It would be another story if the Phillies were headed to the playoffs but their post-season prospects are bleak.