There clearly has been something not quite right with the Phillies' Roy Halladay much of this season. Though he entered Sunday's game against the Cardinals leading the National League in innings pitched and had a 3.58 ERA, that was more than a run higher than his season ERAs each of the last four seasons.
And then the Phillies took him out of Sunday's game after two innings, pinch-hitting Pete Orr for him, and now we know why he was removed. Jim Salisbury:
Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay left Sunday afternoon's start against St. Louis after just two innings because of soreness in his right shoulder. The team said Halladay left as a precaution.
Halladay threw just 36 pitches. The righthander gave up two singles, a walk and a grand slam to Yadier Molina in the first inning then had a 1-2-3 second inning.
Later, there was more information from Salisbury:
Team says Halladay will be re-evaluated in next couple of days. No MRI for now#philliestalk
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) May 27, 2012
It hasn't been a good year for the Phillies; they've had injuries all over the place, including a stint by Cliff Lee on the DL. Even so, they entered Sunday just four games out of first place and, despite Sunday's loss, they are over .500 at 25-24.
For more on the Phillies, please visit The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly.