Phillies Place Roy Oswalt On DL

The Phillies have placed Roy Oswalt on the DL with what is being called lower back inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 27th, so that means he will be eligible to come back on Thursday of next week. Scott Mathieson has been called up in his place. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro says that it's just a precautionary move.

"Just some soreness but we’re not going to take any chances," Amaro said.

Oswalt left the team last week to check on his family, who were right in the middle of the devastating tornadoes down south. When he returned, he was experiencing some lower back discomfort and GM Ruebn Amaro admitted that he could go on the DL. he had already been scratched from today's start. The fact that Oswalt had already been away for a week or so means that the move can be made retroactive, so nine of the days on the DL are already "used up."

Oswalt said he could have pitched today if he had to.

"I’ve been a little tight and it hasn’t got any better," Oswalt said before the game. "I could probably pitch on Saturday but couldn’t promise any results."

In good injury news, Chase Utley will play at least an inning in an extended spring training game in Florida.