Roy Halladay Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks with Strained Lat Muscle

Uh oh.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed ace Roy Halladay on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lat muscle in his pitching shoulder, reports Jayson Stark.

He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

It is Halladay’s first trip to the DL since 2009 (groin) and first arm-related DL trip since 2004 (shoulder).

Halladay had clearly been struggling so far this season. He owns a 3.98 ERA through 11 starts, but his 4-5 record leaves much to be desired.

He’s tossed a league-leading 72.1 innings, but he’s struck out just 56 batters.

His 4.00 SO/BB ratio is his lowest rate since 2008.

This trip to the disabled list should be enough to get Halladay back on track, as there are currently no reports of any structural damage.

The Phillies, who are now in a last-place tie with the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, are still two games over .500 and just four games back in the division.

Halladay’s injury doesn’t just impact the well being of the team in the short-term—the long-term could be effected as well.

If this DL stint really hurts the club, then general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. could look to deal Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino to stock up his farm system.

For now, the Phillies will have to deal with the loss of their ace.

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