Has Halladay said he feels like last season was the most frustrating of his career? Because, while it was frustrating, I think 2000 is the standard bearer if we're just discussing amongst ourselves.

wow, it took all of one post for me to have to buy someone a coke!

Sheesh - if this is what the Phillies are reduced to then it is time for smart GM's to pounce. Before this game Halladay had pitched in 3 games, 8 1/3 IP, allowing 2 runs on 2 BB 7 SO and 1 HR. Today was what is called 'one of those days'. 4 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR 7 runs in 2 2/3 IP. Basically anything that could go wrong did. This is a HOF pitcher coming off his 2nd ever season sub 115 for ERA+ (3rd under 120). Last year his K/9 was higher than his career average, his BB/9 was off his career by 0.2, and HR by 0.2. If they want to dump him I'm sure 29 other clubs would be quite happy to take him off their hands.

The way Manuel & Dubee are talking you'd think Halladay was a washed up vet or something who hasn't been competitive in a long time. This is the guy who led the NL in ERA+ in 2011 and last year was the first since 2005 that he didn't get Cy Young votes. Ah well, whatever.

In fairness, he apparently topped out at mid-80s with his fastball. Considering he's thrown harder than that already this isn't a "he'll get his velocity back as he gets stretched out." This was an unexplained 6 mph dip from one start to the next, which is a little worrisome. That said, Doc has 1) earned the benefit of a doubt and 2) earned the right for his GM and pitching coach not to point a spotlight on him whenever he has a bad day.

The problem is that his velocity has been done all spring. Even in those earlier starts, his average velocity is down about 5 mph. No need to panic, but certainly a concern to be consistently losing mph

Halladay says there is nothing wrong with him

Didn't he say that last year too, at least early on? I hope Roy can reestablish himself as an AS pitcher and keep putting up ERAs in the 2.50-3.00 range on the way to 260 or so wins , but if he can't, I'd sooner see him retire than scuffle along for a few more years. Selfish of me I know.

Didn't he say that last year too, at least early on? I hope Roy can reestablish himself as an AS pitcher and keep putting up ERAs in the 2.50-3.00 range on the way to 260 or so wins , but if he can't, I'd sooner see him retire than scuffle along for a few more years. Selfish of me I know.

A friend of mine who just started watching baseball last year asked me the other day "so is this Roy Halladay any good? He gets talked about like he's a star, but he seemed pretty meh".

It's a sad world where even one person thinks 2012 is representative of Roy Halladay: Baseballer.

Was it just yesterday's performance that renewed concerns about Halladay's arm? The reports from his exhibition against the Nats last week indicated that he looked good. I understand concerns based on last year, but it seems a bit much to raise a warning over a "dead arm" start in mid-March.

I understand concerns based on last year, but it seems a bit much to raise a warning over a "dead arm" start in mid-March

So, what's the "science" behind the dead arm concept? It seems like a real thing since every year there's some number of starters that have reduced velocity for a short period of time. Sometimes it's in Spring Training, sometimes in April. But it certainly doesn't seem to happen to everyone, or at least it's not reported.

Why does it happen?

Why does it happen?

I'm not a real doctor, but my PhD in statistics combined with my collaboration with real sports medicine researchers would lead me to believe that it has to with scar tissue. If the scar tissue accumulates around the joint/ligaments, it could restrict motion in imperceptible ways, which would lead to changes in throwing motion that would cause a reduction in velocity.

I would conjecture that the process goes:

1. Off-season rest allows for scar tissue to float around, so at the beginning of ST there is no dead arm.
2. Throwing regularly again during ST causes scar tissue to accumulate (or new scar tissue to form) around the joints/ligaments, restricting motion which causes a drop in velocity.
3. Throwing even more regularly breaks up the scar tissue that had accumulated, which unrestricts the motion causing the subsequent rise in velocity.

But I really have no idea what I'm talking about, so YMMV.

Was it just yesterday's performance that renewed concerns about Halladay's arm? The reports from his exhibition against the Nats last week indicated that he looked good. I understand concerns based on last year, but it seems a bit much to raise a warning over a "dead arm" start in mid-March.

No, the MASH report over at Fangraphs has tracked his pitch velocity. I'm not sure I buy their position, but he's been listed on their MASH report for the last few starts because of lowered velocity. While the states have been fine, it's in 8 IP against mixed competition.