Live blogging: Because Blanton is Jo-more

No more starting for Joe in 2011

Via Todd Zolecki and the zozone.mlbblogs.com reporters have spoken to Ruben Amaro and Joe Blanton will most likely not start another game this season.
This is a harsh blow to all of us working at Blangraphs and the Phillies. He is without a doubt the heart and soul of this blog. Blanton finishes his year starting for the first place Phils with a 1-2 record and a 5.50 ERA. The loss of Joe almost assures us of KK staying on the roster for the remainder of the season in his place. (Unless Oswalt can make it back, then I would have to think Worley would hold a spot over Kendrick.)
While the ERA and win/loss totals aren't pretty Joe had good peripherals that pointed towards him rebounding in the second half. (See http://blangraphs.blogspot.com/2011/04/for-real-though.html)
Blanton is still under contract for just 8.5 million for next year so maybe we can expect his glorious 30 win season in 2012.
A glimmer of hope when all seems dark... there was some indication that Joe may pitch out of the bullpen still this year with the likes of Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo (or Bastadson), Mike Stutes, and Brad Lidge.
So despair not, we may yet see Joe on the mound during the World Series... striking out Endy Chavez to win it all for the Fightin' Phils.

Blandate

Joe Blanton has not pitched since May 14th against the Braves. Even in that game his elbow was bothering him and he gave up two home runs over 5 innings. The Phillies ultimately lost 3-5. Since then he has been on the DL with as far as I can tell has only been publicly diagnosed as "crankiness". He has since been resting his elbow in the hopes that it would heal itself but after a bullpen a few days ago he felt the same symptoms. It's a shame really as Blanton was predicted to win 15-30 games by 100% of Blangraphs readers.

Here is what Blanton had to say about his injury. "I think I'm just trying to stay attuned with what's going on," Blanton said. "But it feels the same as it did before. It's not, 'Oh, maybe you just have some soreness.' It's the same as it was. So the rest period didn't work, so we'll see where we go from here."

Any future updates on Blanton's health will be covered and posted here on Blangraphs.

Cole Hamels, Destroyah

Hamels has so far K'ed 7 of the first 9 Padres he has faced.

Has he stolen the title?

Where's Blanton?

Find all the injured Phillies pitchers! Lidge, Contreras, Madson, Oswalt, and Blanton.

Click to enlarge

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