31-year old lefty swinging 1B Ryan Howard ruptured his left Achilles Tendon in his last at bat of the N.L.D.S. against the Cardinals and he needs surgery to repair it. Howard will likely miss at least half, if not all of the 2012 season. This is a HUGE blow to the Phillies already in 2012. Howard played in 152 games for the Phillies in 2011 and he was 141 for 557 (.253 avg, .835 OPS) with 81 runs scored, 31 homers, 116 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Howard has now played in 1,027 games in his first 8 years with the Phillies and he is 1,043 of 3,794 (.275 avg, .928 OPS) with 633 runs scored, 286 homers, 864 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Howard’s bat in the middle of the Phillies’ lineup will be almost impossible to replace in 2012. Howard also signed a 5-year, $125 contract extension that starts with the 2012 season. The Phillies have an option for the 2017 season worth $23 million bucks with a buyout of $10 million bones. They need him to take his time in his rehab and not to return until he’s 100%, because they have a huge investment in him.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed 27-year old lefty starting pitcher Cole Hamels on the 15-day disabled list due to left shoulder inflammation. He was placed on the D.L. retroactive to August 13th, so he shouldn’t miss too much time. Still, the Phillies are going to be really careful with him. Hamels has started 25 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 13-7 with a 2.62 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He has been simply amazing this year for the Phillies as he is in the midst of a “career” year. 26-year old righty Kyle Kendrick will likely replace Hamels in the rotation. Kendrick has pitched in 29 games (12 starts) for the Phillies so far this year and he is 7-5 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has been a godsend for the Phillies this season, stepping into the rotation and pitching well whenever needed. The Phillies have called up 32-year old lefty swinging infielder Pete Orr to replace Hamels on the active roster. Orr played in 29 games earlier this year for the Phillies and he was 15 for 63 (.238 avg, .590 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

The Phillies have placed 32-year old switch-hitting SS Jimmy Rollins on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained right groin. He has played in 121 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 132 for 493 (.268 avg, .743 OPS) with 79 runs scored, 14 homers, 58 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. Wilson Valdez will take over as the Phillies’ starting shortstop until Rollins is ready to return to action. Valdez will do a solid job defensively but the Phillies will miss Rollins’ bat while he’s out of action.

The Phillies have placed starting 3B Placido Polanco on the 15-day disabled list due to a sports hernia. Polanco has played in 89 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 95 for 345 (.275 avg, .672 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 4 homers, 40 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. 33-year old Wilson Valdez and 28-year old switch-hitting Michael Martinez will likely share time at 3B until Polanco is ready to return to action. Valdez has played in 75 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 47 for 199 (.236 avg, .578 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 0 homers, 17 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Martinez has played in 65 games so far this year for the Phillies and he is 32 or 151 (.212 avg, .551 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 2 homers, 19 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

The Phillies have placed 35-year old righty swinging 3B Placido Polanco on the 15-day disabled list with lower back inflammation. Polanco has played in 83 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 88 for 321 (.274 avg, .676 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 4 homers, 39 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. 33-year old righty swinging Wilson Valdez and 28-year old switch-hitting Michael Martinez will share 3B until Polanco is ready to return to action. Valdez has played in 64 games so far this year and he is 41 for 175 (.234 avg, .566 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 0 homers, 15 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Martinez has played in 44 games for the Phillies so far this year and he is 19 for 83 (.229 avg, .559 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 0 homers and 8 RBIs. The Phillies hope Polanco gets healthy soon because they are going to miss both his bat and mitt.