Halladay’s arm on ice
Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a strained right shoulder, the latest major setback for the five-time N.L. East champions.
Halladay was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, two days after he was hit hard and pulled from a start in St. Louis after just two innings because of shoulder soreness.
The two-time Cy Young winner will be shut down for a minimum of three weeks, then work toward rejoining the rotation, Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.
Proefrock said tests done in Philadelphia indicated Halladay doesn’t need surgery to recover and that the injury doesn’t affect his rotator cuff.
The injury came with the Phillies at 26-25 and last in the division, four games behind Washington.
Philadelphia has managed to stay close minus All-Star hitters Ryan Howard (Achilles tendon) and Chase Utley (knee), who haven’t played at all this season. Manuel said he harbored hope that his slugging first baseman and smooth-fielding second baseman would be back at some point this year.
Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick remain in the rotation, and there are a few potential replacements at Triple-A, including former big leaguers Dave Bush and Scott Elarton.
Weaver on DL
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower-back injury that likely will force last season’s A.L. Cy Young runner-up to miss at least two starts.
The Angels recalled touted prospect Garrett Richards from Triple-A Salt Lake.
Weaver threw just 12 pitches Monday night against the Yankees before pulling up awkwardly after a pitch to Robinson Cano. He was diagnosed with lower back spasms and a strained muscle around a disc in his lower spine.
Clearing the bases
The Texas Rangers have reached a deal with free-agent Roy Oswalt. The right-handed pitcher is expected to join the rotation within a few weeks. … Indians All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the lineup as Cleveland’s designated hitter after missing three straight games with a tight hamstring. He has a team-leading .301 average with five homers and 20 RBIs. … All-Star center fielder Matt Kemp was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing 13 games because of a left hamstring strain. He has a .359 average in 34 games with 28 RBIs. … The Tampa Bay Rays purchased the contract of Hideki Matsui from Triple-A Durham. He was immediately inserted into the lineup, batting sixth and starting in left field. … Washington Nationals infielder Chad Tracy will require surgery for a torn groin muscle and is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks.