By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – When Roy Halladay was placed on the disabled list with shoulder soreness on May 18th, the hope was that the Phillies could stay at or near .500, to keep themselves in the playoff race until he returned. If the goal was to tread water, they might be drowning when he comes back.

Halladay will begin a rehab assignment in Clearwater with the Threshers on July 12th. Rehab assignments can last a maximum of 20 days. The Phillies are 37-50 at the All-Star break, 14 games behind the NL East leading Nationals.

Halladay is 4-5 this season, with an ERA of 3.98.