Philadelphia Phillies: Vance Worley Shut Down for the Rest of 2012

Following another poor outing from Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Vance Worley on Tuesday night, the club announced that he would be out for the remainder of the 2012 season on Wednesday morning. 

Worley will undergo surgery within the next two weeks to remove loose bodies from his throwing elbow. Assuming no further complications, he will be fully ready when pitchers and catchers report for spring training.

The 24-year-old, as of Tuesday night, has posted a 6-9 record on the year with a 4.20 ERA and 107 strikeouts.

With the sub-par numbers and the fact that they are 10 games out of a playoff spot with September right around the corner, the Phillies won’t be missing much with Worley’s absence.

Through the month of June, the right-hander was living up the to the expectations he had put on himself with his brilliant rookie campaign a year ago. Through those first three months, including a short DL stint, Worley started a total of 12 games. Though winning only four of those starts, with four losses to match, he recorded a 2.92 ERA.

Once July rolled around, Worley’s season started spiraling downward fast. In his 11 starts since the end of June, he put up a 2-5 record with an ERA of 5.80 over that time. 

Worley has the potential to be a very good middle-rotation man for a long time. If the injury was the only thing wrong with him, as he insists, then expect him to bounce back to the potential he showed through his first year-and-a-half in the league. 

Tyler Cloyd, who made his major league debut on Wednesday night, will likely fill the empty spot in Philadelphia’s rotation as the season enters its homestretch. 

Cloyd went six strong against the Mets, allowing three earned runs with five punchouts and two walks on 102 pitches. 

*Stats are from MLB.com and ESPN.com. 

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