Roy Halladay Is On The Comeback Trail

Remember Roy Halladay?  It seems almost light years ago that the Phillies last put Halladay on the mound to pitch.  It appears that Halladay is on track to be coming back rather soon.  According to the Inquirer's Matt Gelb, Halladay is headed to the Phillies' complex in Clearwater, Florida.  There he will pitch a simulated game, and then likely begin a rehab assignment.

Rehab assignments last only 20 days, and the minor league (and major league seasons) are coming to the end.  Halladay is not required to spend all 20 days on a rehab assignment if all goes well.  The Phillies could simply keep Halladay rehabbing until the end of August.  September 1 the rosters expand and Halladay could be added then.

Or – the Phillies could bring him up as soon as they feel he is ready to go.  Heading into a free agent offseason, the Phillies and Halladay himself probably want to see what he can do on his surgically repaired shoulder.  Will Halladay be a Phillie in 2014?  Halladay's big league starts could determine that.