Not much good comes out of collecting a third straight loss, however, the Philadelphia Phillies were able to send starting pitcher Vance Worley to the mound Monday for the first time in 24 days. The overall result was a 4-3 loss, but Worley was able to toss 80 pitches in four innings and suffer no-ill effects in the outing.
"No tightness or anything," Worley said.
Worley, who will be pitching with a bone chip in his elbow for the remainder of the season, was a bit erratic in the first inning but bounced-back nicely and was able to last longer than his 75-pitch count placed on him.
"It's nice knowing that there's nothing in there that's going to bother me," Worley said. "I've just got to go out there and pitch."
The Phillies and Dodgers continue their four-game series Tuesday (7:05 p.m. ET on Comcast Sports Network), while Worley is expected to return to the five-man rotation.
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"There's inflammation in the posterior joint. No structural damage," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Wednesday. "Right now we're going to shut him down for a week from throwing. And then we'll get him reevaluated and hopefully by that time he'll start another throwing program. Generally its pretty good news. When you don't have structural damage - as far as the future is concerned - that's a good thing."
Worley was placed on the disabled list this week after experiencing inflammation in his right elbow. There is no set timetable for his return, but Amaro said Worley would try throwing again once he has been shut down for a full week.
The 24-year old right hander had gotten off to a strong start this season, amassing a 3-2 record with a 3.07 ERA in his first seven starts.
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Worley has been a stalwart this season for Philly, compiling a 3-2 record with a 3.07 ERA.
Worley isn't going to garner many headlines with the likes of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee in the rotation, but he's a solid innings-eater who can be depended upon.
To replace Worley on the roster, the Phillies called up lefty Joe Savery. Savery has pitched eight innings at the major league level this season and been tagged with four earned runs.
Worley is just another blow to a team ravaged by injuries, whether it be Ryan Howard, Chase Utley or Cliff Lee (who has already had a DL stint).
For more on the Phillies, please be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.
