Phillies Trio Eying Return

According to reports, Philadelphia Phillies starter Roy Oswalt is set to rejoin the team Thursday.  The Phillies are projecting Oswalt to take the mound Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.

Reports stating Oswalt had left the team for ‘personal reasons’ began surfacing after his April 26^th start against the Diamondbacks.  The Phillies pitcher allowed 5 earned runs over only 3 innings, leading many to speculate that his exit was injury related.

The media was later informed that Oswalt had left the team to join his family in Mississippi after deadly storms had ripped through the area.  Just last year Oswalt’s parents saw their house destroyed by a tornado.  This year Midwestern storms have claimed several lives and caused severe damage.

While the loss of Oswalt was surprising, the Phillies began this season with several key players on the DL.  Their All Star second baseman Chase Utley is slowly progressing through his rehab.  Utley is being brought along cautiously by the Phillies, seeing controlled action during extended spring training.

The team continues to see how his knee responds to baseball related activity.  After he is cleared, Utley will have to begin a trip through the Phillies minors where he will be able to see live at bats, something he hasn’t encountered since last postseason.

The Phillies are also receiving positive reports on injured prospect Dominic Brown.  Brown has recovered from his broken hand to the point where he is being optioned to AAA, concluding the outfielder’s stretch of rehab at the single A level.  The Phillies are not looking to rush Brown at this point, instead hoping he can get some at bats under his belt with the team’s AAA affiliate.