Philadelphia Phillies: Ranking the Importance of All Their Injury-Prone Stars

This season, the Philadelphia Phillies have seen over half of their 25-man roster land on the disabled list.

In total, the Phils have sent five infielders, four relief pitchers, three starting pitchers and one outfielder to the DL.

Yet, they have kept on winning.

Thanks to players such as Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee missing minimal, if any, time, and Michael Martinez, Wilson Valdez and John Mayberry, Jr., coming off the bench, the Phils have hardly skipped a beat this season.

But, as the team begins the final stretch of the regular season, and with the playoffs only a month away, a healthy roster is as important as ever.

While the Phils have had time to adjust to certain injuries, other, more recent trips to the disabled list could deal the team a blow that is difficult to recover from in a short amount of time.

But which of the Phils injury-prone stars this season is the most important the rest of the way, and whose health may have championship implications hinging on it?

10. Joe Blanton

At the beginning of the season, the Phillies starting rotation was being compared to the 1971 Baltimore Orioles, as well as the rotations of the Atlanta Braves in the late 1990’s.

With Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels owning career numbers that put them among the league’s best, and Joe Blanton serving as arguably the best fifth starter in baseball, the Phils rotation was set for a historic season.

After five months, the Phillies rotation has led the team to one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.

Except Blanton has not been a part of it.

On April 24, Blanton landed on the disabled list with an injury to his throwing elbow.

Prior to his injury, Blanton had only managed a 0-1 record in 24.1 innings and had a 5.92 ERA.

After coming off the DL, Blanton was only able to pitch10 innings over two starts before returning to the disabled list on May 16.

On the season, Blanton is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA in 34.1 innings and has witnessed opponents post a .331 average against him.

However, due to the emergence of rookie Vance Worley, solid spot-starts from Kyle Kendrick and the sheer dominance displayed by Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, Blanton’s absence has not nearly had the same effect on the Phils that other injuries have had.

Blanton’s return has not been ruled out this season, although a return to the rotation is seemingly out of the question.

However, his presence in a postseason bullpen could be a solid addition for the Phillies.

9. Jose Contreras

Similar to Blanton, Jose Contreras has made two appearances on the disabled list this season.

Unlike Blanton, his return this season has already been ruled out.

The 39-year-old has appeared in only 17 games this season.

Prior to his first trip to the disabled list on April 22nd, Contreras had not given up a single earned run in eight innings of relief and had recorded five saves.

Following his return, he would give up six earned runs over 5.3 innings, walk four batters while striking out just two and relinquish closing duties to Ryan Madson.

In his 17 appearances, Contreras collected five saves and four holds while striking out 13, walking eight and posting a 3.86 ERA before returning to the DL on June 20.

Fortunately, the Phillies have witnessed Madson grow into the closer’s role and Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes blossom into young bullpen fixtures.

Contreras is set to have elbow surgery in order to pinpoint whether his injury is muscle or tendon related.

Similar to Blanton, the Phillies have not been affected by Contreras’ injury in the same way as others.

Unlike Blanton, Contreras is not an option out of a postseason bullpen.

8. Brad Lidge

Lidge is another player whose injury has not affected the team to the same extent as others.

In 14 games this season, Lidge has gone 0-1 with a 1.74 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

Lidge missed the entire first-half of the season with a right shoulder strain.

However, in the 97 games that he missed, the Phillies were fortunate enough to witness young arms step up in replacement.

Similar to Contreras’ injury, pitchers such as Madson, Bastardo and Stutes have thrived in their increased roles.

But Lidge, who returned from the disabled list on July 22, offers the Phillies something that other members of their bullpen do not: postseason experience.

In 36 postseason games, Lidge has converted 18 of 20 save opportunities while striking out 61 batters and posting an ERA of 2.28.

With the Phillies, Lidge has logged 18.1 innings and has a 2.12 ERA.

Thanks to the success that other members of the bullpen have had, the Phils did not experience any setbacks while waiting for Lidge to return.

But now that he is back, his postseason experience will be a welcome addition as a relief option.

7. Roy Oswalt

Here is where the potential injuries go from scratches to deep bruises.

At one point, Oswalt’s return to baseball, beyond just this season, appeared to be in question.

However, after missing a total of 53 games, Oswalt is back in the Phils rotation and recently turned in one of his best performances of the season.

In 17 starts, Oswalt has pitched 98 innings, struck out 62 batters and has an ERA of 3.77.

But again, his most important contribution to the Phils may be his postseason experience. Last season, Oswalt went 1-1 in three starts while striking out 19 and walking just four. This took place after he went 7-1 down the stretch following his acquisition by the Phils from the Houston Astros.

His loss in relief during the last season’s NLCS was his first in 11 postseason appearances.

With the emergence of rookie Vance Worley and solid performances from Kyle Kendrick, Oswalt’s absence did not prohibit the Phils success this season.

But whether as a game four starter or out of the bullpen in relief, Oswalt’s health is of great importance to the Phillies.

6. Placido Polanco

It’s hard to believe that Placido Polanco’s average has dropped over 100 points since the end of April.

Since he batted .398 for the month of April, the Phillies' third baseman has seen his average drop to .248 for the month of May, .213 for June and .100 for July.

Of course, he has also missed 31 games due to lower back and abdomen injuries since the opening month of the season.

Polanco is currently batting .277 with 104 hits and 41 RBI in 96 games.

However, when compared to his career .301 average, it becomes clear that the former ALCS MVP has missed time this season.

Polanco was voted in as the starting third baseman in this season’s All Star game, but was forced to sit out as he began his first stint on the disabled list.

After returning on July 30 and playing in just six games, he returned to the DL on August 7.

Besides missing his second-highest fielding percentage and second-fewest errors among third basemen, the Phils also lose Polanco’s versatility in the lineup.

Polanco has received multiple at-bats at the two, three, five and seven spots in the lineup.

With Jimmy Rollins currently on the DL, the Phillies have had Shane Victorino bat leadoff with Polanco batting second, where he has a .318 average this season.

Meanwhile, Michael Martinez has a .231 average when filling in for Polanco, while Wilson Valdez is batting .243 in his place.

The Phillies have proven that they can survive while Polanco misses time.

But with Rollins also out, the left-side of the infield featuring Martinez and Valdez for an extended period of time could prove to be the big blow that is too difficult for the team to bounce back from in a short amount of time.

5. Ryan Madson

With Antonio Bastardo, the Phillies have been able to maintain a solid bullpen and have another candidate to be the team’s closer.

With Ryan Madson, the Phillies bullpen is even better.

Madson has only been on the disabled list once this season, but has been deemed “unavailable” by manager Charlie Manuel on multiple occasions.

But with 25 saves in 27 opportunities, Madson is much more important to the Phillies when he is available.

In 48.2 innings, Madson has a 2.96 ERA and 50 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .237 average.

Not bad for a pitcher who started the season with more blown saves than successful conversions and a career 3.68 ERA, and as someone who was the Phillies third choice as closer behind Lidge and Contreras.

Prior to his trip to the disabled list on June 19, Madson had converted 15 of 16 save opportunities, owned a 2.57 ERA and had struck out 34 batters while walking 11. He also has a 2.35 ERA in 29 postseason games since 2008.

With Contreras out for the season and Lidge seemingly a long way off from his 2008 form, Madson’s health out of the bullpen is key for the Phillies down the stretch.

A late inning relief crew featuring Madson and Bastardo can continue the Phillies dominance from their starting rotation, into their bullpen and towards the team’s ultimate goal this season.

4. Jimmy Rollins

And here is where the injuries cut deep.

Rollins is batting .268 and has been walked more times than he has struck out.

But his presence in the clubhouse, especially during a postseason run, is invaluable to the Phillies.

Since 2007, Rollins has played in 41 postseason games for the Phils and has 38 hits while scoring 21 runs.

This season, Rollins has 132 hits in 121 games to go with 22 doubles, 14 homers, 58 RBI and 28 stolen bases.

But he has also recently landed on the disabled list for the third time in four seasons.

After missing 74 games last season, Rollins’ health is of great importance.

The switch-hitting shortstop saw his batting average drop after hitting .282 in April, but was able to bat .312 for July and was batting .261 in August prior to his injury.

Similar to Polanco, Rollins’ presence means that Michael Martinez and Wilson Valdez can fill reserve roles and be used as options off the bench.

Also, with Rollins back in the leadoff spot, the Phillies are able to bat Shane Victorino second, where he has a .333 average in 168 at-bats this season.

No other current Phillie has been with the team as long as Rollins.

And no other Phillie may do a better job of guiding the team through difficult stretches, whether in the final month of the regular season, or during a postseason run.

3. Chase Utley

On May 22, Phillies fans were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Chase Utley was back.

And hopefully, for the team’s sake, his status in the lineup does not become questionable again.

After missing the first 45 games this season, Utley has returned to bat .273 with nine homers, 40 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 82 appearances.

Similar to Oswalt, Utley’s return at any point this season, let alone before the All Star break, was in jeopardy.

His track record with injuries did not help the level of optimism.

In 2007, Utley missed 28 games following hand surgery.

Last season he missed 43 games after tearing a ligament in his thumb.

Over the past two seasons, the Phillies second baseman has missed a total of 88 games.

Still, Utley’s play has made him arguably one of the best second basemen in baseball, as well as a player whose health is one of the most important components required for the Phillies to make a postseason run.

Utley’s presence in the field gives the Phils a solid defensive glove and a player who has committed just four errors in 385 total chances, as well as a .990 fielding percentage.

Utley’s presence in the lineup gives the team their No. 3 hitter and a player who has a .355 OBP while serving as a threat on the base paths.

Utley’s presence in the locker room may make all the difference.

With Polanco and Rollins currently battling injuries, Utley’s health may have an entire season’s worth of expectations riding on it.

If he continues to play the way he has since returning from the disabled list, the Phillies should continue towards their ultimate goal.

If he were to experience a setback, the entire ship may be steered off course.

2. Cole Hamels

After his start on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds, it appears as if Cole Hamels is healthy.

But hearing “Hamels," “dead arm" and “disabled list” in the same sentence is enough to make any Phillies fan’s heart skip a few beats.

A 2.58 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 26 starts will have that kind of effect.

In 178 innings this season, Hamels has a 13-7 record while holding opponents to a .211 average.

The 27-year-old currently ranks 10th in the National League in winning percentage, seventh in wins and strikeouts, fifth in ERA and complete games and first in WHIP.

He just picked a bad time to land on the disabled list.

Although his stint on the DL was for precautionary reasons, the fact that his turn in the rotation had to be skipped at all is enough to grab your attention.

If Hamels were to miss any extended time, the Phillies should be able to survive behind the remaining arms in the rotation.

But the starting staff would not be nearly as dominant as they are with Hamels.

Few teams can matchup with the Phillies in a three-game series with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Hamels, not that any team would willingly take on the task.

Whether it’s being greedy or accurate, three healthy Cy Young contenders sounds a lot better than two.

1. Shane Victorino

While a potential injury to Hamels would only take the Phillies starting rotation from dominating to simply great, another injury to Shane Victorino could force a defensive liability into the lineup.

If Victorino were to suffer another injury and miss any part of the postseason, the Phillies would lose more than just his .307 average and .382 OBP.

They would also lose his glove in the outfield.

Furthermore, the Phillies would be forced to insert Raul Ibanez into the starting lineup full time.

At 39 years old, Ibanez has become somewhat of a defensive liability in left field.

The Phillies have been fortunate enough to enjoy the success that John Mayberry, Jr., has found as of late.

But if Mayberry was forced to play center with Ibanez in left, and Ben Francisco as the reserve option off the bench, the Phillies outfield crew would lose a great deal on both sides of the ball.

Meanwhile, Victorino has emerged as a dark horse MVP candidate.

After playing in 104 games this season, Victorino ranks in the top 10 in the National League in batting average, runs, slugging, and OPS.

Victorino has smacked 15 homers and driven in 54 runs while also chipping in 126 hits, 22 doubles, 14 triples and 17 stolen bases. He also has the ninth-highest WAR value in baseball.

In two stints on the disabled list this season, Victorino has missed a total of 24 games.

He has ended up on the disabled list at least once in each of the past four seasons, besides 2009.

Victorino is currently having one of his best seasons for a team that is also having one of its best seasons.

The two may have more in common.

As Victorino continues to put up some of the league’s best numbers, the Phillies, as team, put up their own league leading numbers.

And as far as the opposite being true as well?

Fans, and the Phillies alike, can only hope that it remains a mystery.