Halladay throws to batters in Clearwater
WASHINGTON — Roy Halladay’s road to recovery from shoulder surgery involved hitters in the batter’s box for the first time Saturday afternoon.
Pitching in front of Phillies’ personnel, and with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and pitching coach Rich Dubee watching via video feed, Halladay threw 75 pitches to hitters in Clearwater, Fla. According to Amaro, Halladay’s fastball was in the mid- to upper-80 mph range.
“But that doesn’t mean bleep,” Amaro said. “(Halladay) said he had a lot more in the tank as far as pitches and velocity. But he was really concentrating on his mechanics and making sure he got his arm angle. He sounded great.
“The guys liked his arm angle. They liked the life on the ball and his arm speed. He was much better than he was last year, they said … It was encouraging. He was encouraged.”
The Phillies won’t make a formal announcement for a few days, but if Halladay shows no signs of a setback in the coming days there is a strong chance that the veteran right-hander will make his first rehabilitation start later in the week for either the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies or Class A Clearwater.
“He’s going to throw a bullpen Monday, then see where he is,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “He looked good.”
Asked what would be the last thing that comes together for Halladay as he approaches the threemonth mark since having his labrum and rotator cuff repaired in an arthroscopic procedure, Dubee said, “I’d say his timing. He has to put all the pieces back together. His arm strength will come. His last two starts have been his best two.”
Halladay will not reach the vesting option that would pay him $20 million in 2014, so he could create an intriguing situation if he’s able to make a few effective starts in September for the Phils.
Amaro is supportive of Halladay’s desire to get back on the mound before 2013 ends.
“Roy wants to pitch. He wants to come and help and pitch,” Amaro said. “I don’t blame him. He’s a competitive guy. He wants to get going and come and pitch here. “It’s important for us.” NOTES: The Phillies suspended minor-league utilityman Miguel Abreu and Clearwater shortstop Jose Mujica for unspecified reasons. Abreu, 28, has shuttled between four minor-league levels and five positions, batting .205 in 58 games. Mojica, 24, was hitting .219 as the Threshers’ starting shortstop. Asked about the suspensions, Amaro wasn’t privy to the reasons. An attempt to contact director of player development Joe Jordan went unreturned … The Phils entered Saturday with nine straight road losses, their longest road skid since dropping 12 straight in the final two months of 1999 … Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley started their 1,035th game as a doubleplay combination together and quickly are chasing down the Yankees’ combination of Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano (1,041) for the most games played together by a shortstop and second baseman by an active duo … The Phils wrap up their series with the Nats Sunday evening (5:05) when Kyle Kendrick (108, 4.36) goes up against Stephen Strasburg (5-9, 3.01).