By Matt Snyder Roy Oswalt, one of the members of the vaunted Phillies' starting rotation, was forced to leave his start early this past Friday with a lower back strain. He suffered the mild injury while running the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning and was unable to pitch in the seventh.
It appears he won't, however, be forced to miss any starts. Next schedule to pitch Thursday, Oswalt threw a bullpen Monday and felt good enough Tuesday to "flash a thumbs up" to reporters when asked if he was on track to start Thursday. (CSNPhilly via Twitter)
Oswalt, 33, has battled back issues in the past, but has never missed significant time. He's made at least 30 starts for seven straight seasons. Thus far in 2011, he's 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 18 innings.
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