Joe Blanton Hits The DL

Added on Apr 29, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

The Philadelphia Phillies are down another pitcher. Starter Joe Blanton has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with an ailing elbow. Blanton had been experiencing pain during his last two outings. He was able to pitch through it, but after undergoing an MRI yesterday, the team decided to put him on the shelf.

Officially, the Phillies are calling the injury an “elbow impingement.” I have no idea if an impingement is worse than a bruise or a strain, but it’s obviously enough of an issue to shut him down for a couple weeks. General Manager Ruben Amarao Jr. is hopeful it won’t keep him out for a significant length of time.

Thus far in 2011, Blanton is 0-1 with a 5.92 ERA in four starts. In three-plus seasons in Philly, he is 25-15 in 77 games. Right-hander Vance Worley has been recalled from Triple-A and will take the mound tonight against the Mets. Worley is 2-2 in four starts with an ERA of 2.78 in the minors.

Blanton has kinda become the forgotten man in the rotation, what with the big four of Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswalt stealing most of the headlines. However, he is one of the most serviceable fifth starters in baseball and was a key member of the Phillies’ 2008 Championship team, including winning Game 4 in the World Series.

The Phillies are already without relievers Brad Lidge, Jose Contreras and J.C. Romero, so the loss of Blanton will further deplete their rapidly thinning bullpen. That being said, it hasn’t seemed to result in a negative impact through the first month of the season — mainly because the aforementioned “big four” are 11-5, and Ryan Madson has been solid in the closer’s role.

In the first 24 games, the Phils are 16-8, a half-game ahead of the second place Florida Marlins in the NL East. Tonight they begin a weekend series with the rival Mets.

Source: ESPN.com