Roy Halladay Moving in Right Direction which is Opposite Direction of Toilet
By Justin Klugh
Calling the loss of ten pounds due to a stomach virus a “setback,” Roy Halladay continues to possibly improve or die, it is difficult to tell.
March 19, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay (34) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Halladay started the spring on track, then suffered a disastrous, fundamentally unsound start against the Tigers in which he gave up seven runs, claimed he was “lethargic” from an extra bullpen session, started another game against the Orioles, threw one scoreless inning, barfed, and left the game. He swore he was battling a stomach virus and the room was spinning before he even took the room. Which begs the question why the Phillies haven’t had that room looked at yet. His velocity’s dropped off an his basic mechanics even seemed off.
Anyway, at the bullpen sessions following the first disaster and before the vomitrocious one, Rich Dubee and Charlie Manuel heaped multi-syllable praise on their ace. Whether or not he actually feels okay, people certainly seem direct in wanting to think he is.
The latest update is that Halladay claims he is moving in the “right direction,” which we can all agree is any direction that doesn’t lead to a toilet. Today, he will throw a bullpen session and look forward to starting against the Orioles on Saturday, as history eerily repeats itself.
It will be a start in which he will be trying to throw 75 pitches, and go from there.
HOWEVER.
He also apparently hinted that he may not be “strong” enough to throw today, in which case his first start of the year could be… pushed… back. Which is the kind of “human” news we are not accustomed to getting from Roy Halladay’s camp.
As of 12:15, Doc had thrown his session as planned and appears to be piecing things back together.
Halladay had a good bullpen session today. Will pitch Sat in minor lg game at carpenter complex. Still gaining strength after illness.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) March 20, 2013
Pitching coach Rich Dubee: "Roy threw very well. He lost almost 10 pounds, so he's just got to gain some weight back and get his strength."
— Ryan Lawrence (@ryanlawrence21) March 20, 2013
“Mmmmm, yes… ‘pitching.’ You say I used to do this professionally? Yes, It’s all coming back to me now.”