Phils Back in Action Tonight As Hamels', Polanco's Conditions Updated

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Seems like it's been forever since the Phillies last took the diamond, in part because they've only played two games in the previous five days. The lull ends right now though, as they welcome the NL West-leading Diamondbacks to Citizens Bank Park for a possible landscape-altering three game set.

More on tonight's match after the jump, but first, the updates on a couple of banged up Phils.

Hamels Avoids the DL
The results on Cole Hamels' MRI came back, and while they didn't show any serious damage to Cole's pitching shoulder, there was some inflammation. For now, the plan is to hold him out of his next start, which was scheduled for Friday. Based on the Phillies' web site, CSN surmised that Roy Oswalt could be in line to take his place.

Overall, this doesn't seem like a huge deal right now. It might not be a bad idea to get these guys a little additional rest before the post-season anyway, and there is certainly no need to take risks with an 8.5-game lead in the division. Still, it's a situation to monitor when Cole makes his next appearance.

Polanco Out
David Murphy is reporting Placido Polanco is not in tonight's lineup, which could spell bad news for the All Star third baseman. On Friday, Polly told reporters that if he wasn't able to play by today, he might be headed for surgery to take care of a sports hernia. Murphy continues that Polanco was seen taking some infield practice earlier.

Martinez is at third tonight, and will bat eighth.

Losing Polanco until the post-season would be an unfavorable result, but he hasn't exactly been himself after jumping out to a roaring start. Polanco hit .398 for the month of April, dipping down to .248 in May, and .213 in June before he ultimately went on the DL effective July 5. He's hit .292 since he returned, but hasn't been in the lineup going on seven straight games.

Last Meeting/Tonight's Pitching Match-up
The Phillies were last in Arizona back in April, where the DBacks took two of three, beating Oswalt and Cliff Lee in the process. Tonight, they draw Cy Young. (Yes, we are aware this is the first mention of Doc in this gamethread.)

While Roy Halladay will go out and do what Roy Halladay does, the offense will get their first good look at Arizona rookie Josh Collmenter (7-7, 3.51). The 25-year-old righty made one relief appearance against the Fightins on April 27, throwing a scoreless, runner-less eighth inning with one K in a losing effort.

On a personal note, I'd be interested to see what the Phillies' offensive numbers are like when facing a starter for the first time. I can think of a few occasions this season where they  absolutely lit a guy up, but many more instances when they were completely shut down.

We'll see if they can take advantage of Collmenter, who worked a solid seven innings in his most recent outing versus Houston, but was rocked by the Dodgers in each of his previous two starts, allowing 11 earned runs in a combined six innings of work.

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