It wasn’t a good day yesterday for the Phillies as their number three starter Joe Blanton was put on the 15 day disabled list because of a strained oblique muscle.
Phils team physician Michael Ciccotti said it’s going to take Blanton three to six weeks to recover.¬† He didn’t think it was a severe strain.¬† He labeled it more on the mild side.
They’re going to have him start his recovery next week by getting in a long toss with the hopes that his oblique will respond favorably to rest and anti-inflammatories.
The loss of Blanton will cause a chain reaction.
It will mean opportunity for Kyle Kendrick because he was beaten out for the fifth spot in the rotation by old head Jamie Moyer.  The injury to Blanton will mean Kendrick will get the chance to get in some starts.
The fact that Kendrick will not be available in the bullpen will force GM Ruben Amaro Jr. to acquire another experienced arm because none of the young arms they sent down is ready to pitch out of the majors.
Not the end of the world but another problem to deal with.
