Just a few days ago, Phillies starter Roy Oswalt was to make his return to the mound, but he had to be scratched and replaced due to lingering back soreness. Oswalt was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to April 27, and while he's eligible to return this weekend for a series against the Braves, now it doesn't look like he'll be ready that soon. Marc Narducci:

Amaro said that Roy Oswalt, placed on the disabled list Friday with lower back inflammation, is progressing. He likely won't be able to pitch when he is eligible to be activated for Friday's game in Atlanta, the GM said. Oswalt threw a bullpen session on Sunday and will do so again on Tuesday, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee.

So Oswalt's coming along, but he's not quite ready yet, and the 22-11 first-place Phillies don't feel like rushing the 33-year-old pitcher with a history of physical maladies. Which is just fine, because they really don't need to. Still, with Oswalt and Joe Blanton both on the road to recovery, it shouldn't be long before the entire fearsome five-man rotation is restored.