Sox And The Phils: The Great DL Race

By now if you're a Red Sox or Phillies fan (or both), you're just praying that one more person doesn't go down. It's been rough for both teams with the highest of expectations to be in third place. Who knew all the hitters we're going to get injured in Philly? Who knew the hitters and some pitchers were going to go down in Boston?

Current DL status for Phillies:

Antonio Bastardo (P) -- Could be a long time before we see him again
Chad Durbin (RP) -- rehab assignment Sat.
Ryan Madson (RP) --ready to be activated supposedly
Placido Polanco (3B) (sore elbow; could see baseball activities resume Saturday)
Chase Utley (2B) -- optimistic for an early return, but early Aug still looks like target.
Carlos Ruiz (C) --saw a concussion specialist Monday
Brian Schneider (C) --DTD (thumb sprain)

Having Utley and Polanco hurts the Phils for a big bat leaving Ryan Howard unprotected. Ruiz not being in the line-up hurts them by not bringing in runs and him getting on base. Ryan Madson can hopefully return to closing duties because Brad Lidge has just been terrible in close games. The bullpen is also hurting without Chad Durbin whose been a steady arm in 29 games this season with a sub 4 ERA. Things are looking up post All-Star Break for the Phillies, they just can't get too far behind the Braves and Mets (who are semi-injured).

As for the Sox, they've overachieved as an injury-plagued team in the AL East. A few days ago, the Yankees were sweating bullets as the Sox pulled within half a game for first place. The bullpen couldn't get it done for them against the Rays and the bats came too late after the Rays built up a lead. No need for the Sox to panic, though. Right after the AS break expect to see Clay Buchholz back in the rotation, Jacoby Ellsbury could be back, and Victor Martinez.

Current Red Sox DL:
Josh Beckett (P) --threw 64 pitch simulated game; rehab assignment discussion
Clay Buchholz (P) --threw an aggressive side session yesterday
Junichi Tazawa (P) -- done until 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April
Manny Delcarmen (RP) -- late July return after MRI revealed forearm strain
Jacoby Ellsbury (LF) -- resuming baseball activities very soon
Jeremy Hermia (OF) -- Takes BP; late July return
Jed Lowrie (SS) -- Rehab assignment
Mike Lowell (3B) -- ready, but on personal leave as per Tito
Victor Martinez (C) --Thumb sprain; surgery not needed
Jason Varitek (C) - broken right foot; out 6 weeks
Dustin Pedroia (2B) -- early august return after broken left foot
Kevin Youkilis (1B) --playing through ankle pain
**Hideki Okajima battling back issues

There's a lot of season to play for both teams and both play their best ball after the All-Star break. No need to get alarmed, but expect trades to add temporary depth until these stars come back.

Rumored Trade Targets for Phils:

Jeremy Guthrie (SP) Orioles
Ty Wigginton (2B) Orioles
Miguel Tejada (3B) Orioles
Cliff Lee (SP) Mariners
Dan Haren (SP) D'Backs
Ben Sheets (SP) Athletics
Mike Lowell (3B) Red Sox

Rumored Targets for The Red Sox:

Chris Snyder (C) D'Backs
Scott Downs (RP) Blue Jays
Kerry Wood (RP) Indians
Will Ohman (RP) Orioles

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