Doc's Shoulder, Chooch's Suspension

                 Roy Halladay and Carlos Ruiz spoke to the media earlier today, addressing much different issues.  Halladay was speaking for the first time since the end of last season to address his recovery from a shoulder injury that saw him face one of, if not the toughest seasons in his career.
 Halladay saw his ERA soar to 4.49, his highest since 2000 when his ERA was 10.64, and more than a run higher than his career ERA of 3.31.  The pitcher admitted today that he had been suffering from a lower back injury as far back as Spring Training of last year which eventually led to his upper back injury and shoulder tightness that landed him on the DL for 7 weeks.  These injuries added up to show a noticeable drop in his velocity and a loss of his typical pin-point command.  Halladay has changed up his typically grueling workouts over the course of the off-season in attempt to have his back be more flexible and his shoulder strengthened.  Early reports of his bullpen sessions have been positive but it will be hard to know if Doc will be back to his old-self until he sees some live action in Spring Training and Regular Season games.  Look for a bounce-back season from Halladay if he maintains his health especially as he is most likely going to be a free agent after this season unless he pitches the almost 260 innings needed in order for his 2014 option to vest.  While its highly likely that Halladay will be a free agent after the 2013 season, Phillies fans need not fear this will be his last season with the team as he has expressed interest in finishing his career in the City of Brotherly Love.
                 Talking on a different topic today, Carlos Ruiz somewhat addressed his 25 game suspension to start the season after testing positive for Adderall twice during the 2012 season.  Ruiz apologized to the organization, teammates, fans, and his family but did not go into specifics on his suspension.  Ruiz spent most of the interview apologizing and just repeating that the MLB has rules and he must serve his suspension for violating these rules.  After a breakout season in 2012 that saw Ruiz set career highs with a batting average of .325, 32 doubles, 16 home runs, and 68 RBI's, Ruiz will be sorely missed for the first 25 games of the season.  So with very few questions answered the Phillies and their fans will simply have to wait out the suspension of Chooch and hope that he is simply a late-bloomer and that it wasn't the Adderall that allowed him to have a career year.  Here's to  a happy and healthy 2013.  Go Phils!