When I first saw the headline that Brett Myers could return to the Phillies in August, I immediately thought that that would definitely equal no Halladay.
But, if Myers is to return, it will be in the bullpen. He is set to throw a bullpen session on Saturday at Citizen's Bank Ballpark and he says he's "way ahead of schedule."
"I knew in the back of my mind that I was going to be back this year, even when they said my season was over," Myers said. "I had a feeling that everything was going to be OK."
This would be a tremendous lift to the Phillies if they can get Myers back healthy. Sure, he was pitching very well as a starter when he went down with an injury, but he'd still be valuable out of the pen. What if Lidge or Madson gets hurt? What if Lidge goes back to stinking up the joint like he did earlier this year? I'm not saying that will happen, but it sure could, and Myers has experience in the closer's role.
Regardless of what his role in the bullpen is, he would be a very valuable addition. Based on how much time is left in the season, there is just no way for him to get stretched out again to be an effective starter.
"There's no time for me to get up to 100 pitches," he said. "I'm not going to help the team if I go four innings. That's not going to help anybody."
So with a healed hip, could he get back to throwing low-mid 90's with consistency?
"I think occasionally after the hip would lock up on me, I definitely didn't try to throw the next one as hard as I threw that one," Myers said. "I think it had something to do with me backing off just a little bit. But I definitely think I can throw harder. Anytime you come out of the bullpen you're going to throw harder."
