This morning, the Phillies and Roy Halladay held their normal spring training news presser at the Phillies' spring training complex. When reporters asked about Halladay's shoulder, the Phillies revealed that his ailment last season was not due to an injured shoulder, but instead was caused from his lower back.
Halladay said that he and his doctors traced his upper back/shoulder issues to his lower back.
Halladay said he and doctors eventually determined that his upper back/shoulder problems stemmed from issues with his lower back, which he said he had trouble loosening throughout the season, causing him to change the mechanics of his upper torso.
Halladay said that after consulations with team trainers and doctors, he completely overhauled his usual offseason conditioning routine, focusing on more sport specific/dynamic movements that built strength and flexibility in his lower back and core.
Now back in Clearwater and ready to face the 2013 season with the Phillies, Halladay is confident in himself.
"I feel as good now as I have any other spring training," Halladay said. "Last year, it wasn't as if I felt bad, it just never really clicked for me."
It didn't click for him at all. Last season, Halladay went 4-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 11 starts before headed to the DL with a strained latissimus dorsi.
Roy Halladay will turn 36 in May, but he says he is confident in his ability to come back from last season and still be an effective piece.
"I'm confident that if I can maintain the way I feel right now, I'm confident I can be effective," Halladay said. "
During the presser, Halladay was asked numerous questions about his contract, which could potentially be up at the end of the season if he does not meet his vesting option. Halladay's contract will expire after this season if he does not pitch 259 innings.
That number is nearly impossible to reach for even the best pitchers in the game. During Halladay's 2010 Cy Young season, the veteran righthander notched just 250 1/3 innings. The year after, he tallied 233 2/3 innings, and finally last year he threw 156 1/3 innings despite injury.
So the question is: Will Roy Halladay retire after this season?
Halladay said that he cannot see himself going through the free agency process again, and has stated previously that he would like to retire with the Phillies. If he does not pitch 259 innings, which it seems likely that he will not, the possibility of a new deal or retirement are clearly on the table.
H/T and quotes courtesy (Philly.com)
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