Phillies ace Roy Halladay has not pitched since being removed after two innings of their game against the Cardinals May 27. A strained lat was diagnosed and he’s been on the disabled list since then.

Halladay could be close to a return to the majors:

Halladay will start Thursday for Class A Clearwater in his first game action since May 27, according to [a Philadelphia Inquirer] report.

If there are no setbacks, Halladay is likely to start next Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to the report.

Halladay had been pitching significantly below his career norms before the injury, although he wasn’t pitching badly; he was exactly league-average in ERA (100 ERA+) and had a good 1.14 WHIP, a bit lower than his career average.

His return is no magic elixir to return the Phillies to contention — they stand 13 games under .500 and dead last in the NL East — but they’ll be happy to see him taking the ball every fifth day, anyway.

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