While the masses await a medical update on injured ace Roy Halladay, a new wrinkle has been uncovered. Halladay’s sore shoulder may cost him his $20 million vesting option in 2014.
When the right-hander signed a three-year extension with the Phillies in 2009, there was an option saying that Halladay had to throw 415 innings in 2012-13, 225 innings in 2013 and not finish the season on the DL.
Even if Halladay returns to form this season — he’s expected to miss six to eight weeks — it’s very unlikely he’d reach 415 innings over the next two seasons. He’s at 72 1/3 innings this year. If he doesn’t reach the 415-inning mark, he could become a free agent after the 2013 season.
Halladay, of course, was placed on the 15-day DL last week with a sore shoulder. He followed that up by seeing a New York doctor for a second opinion.
“He’s thrown a lot of bullets over his career,” Phils skipper Charlie Manuel said. “Sooner or later, that’s going to catch up with him. I think he’s at the point where if he just steps back a little bit, I think you’ll still see that dominant pitcher.”
What went wrong …
Marlins 5, Phillies 1
Up next: vs. L.A. Dodgers, Tonight, 7:05 (CSN)
1. The Hanley Show. Hanley Ramirez is quickly establishing himself as the newest Phillies killer. Miami’s star went yard again yesterday, destroying a misplaced changeup, one day after clubbing two at Citizens Bank Park. Ramirez has three home runs in six games versus the Phils this season.
2. Average Joe. Remember that hot start from Joe Blanton? The Phils may have been able to shop their portly right-hander back then, but not now.
No chance. Blanton (4-5) surrendered five runs on nine hits in six innings,
upping his ERA to 5.27. Blanton hasn’t won a game since May 14, when his ERA was 2.96.
3. Hits hard to come by. Take away Juan Pierre from the lineup and Phils hitters went 3-for-29 with no RBIs. Jimmy Rollins, Hunter Pence and Hector Luna — he batted cleanup with Carlos Ruiz getting an off day — all went hitless in the series finale. Pierre (3-for-4) plated the lone Phillies run in the eighth inning.
