That Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz, half of the Phillies' infield, need surgery over this coming week is a reversal of the Phillies' good health during their World Series-winning season.
In 2008, only seven of their core players wound up on the disabled list. All seven were on the 15-day DL, then Tom Gordon was moved to the 60-day DL in September.
Here are the injured Phillies last season:
Brad Lidge, March 25, right knee surgery
Shane Victorino, April 13, strained right calf
Jimmy Rollins, April 21, left high-ankle sprain
Jayson Werth, May 25, strained right oblique muscle
Tom Gordon, July 7, right elbow inflammation
Pedro Feliz, July 29, lower back injury
Geoff Jenkins, Aug. 23, strained right hip flexor
Four other Phillies were on the disabled list last season: relief pitchers Francisco Rosario and Mike Zagurski, starting pitcher Scott Mathieson and outfielder Chris Snelling.
In 2007, the Phillies had double the number of DL visits, 22. That included four members of their rotation: Jon Lieber, Freddy Garcia, Adam Eaton and Cole Hamels. It included their closer (Brett Myers) and one of their top relief pitchers (Ryan Madson), plus Ryan Howard, Utley, Victorino and Werth.
The injuries suffered by Utley and Feliz could be viewed several ways by Phillies' fans.
If your glass is half-empty, you're looking for doom and gloom and you've found it.
If your glass is half-full, everything will be OK. The Phillies are the defending champions and both players could be back for the beginning of the season.
