Goodbye Mr. Chips: Phillies Put RHP Vance Worley on Disabled List, Surgery Likely in 7-10 Days

The Phillies announced what many had thought was inevitable -- right handed starter Vance Worley is headed to the disabled list and will undergo elbow surgery to remove bone chips within the next seven to ten days.

RHP Vance Worley has been placed on the DL. He'll have right elbow surgery in 7-10 days.

— Phillies (@philaphillies) August 29, 2012

Worley, 24, had a tremendous rookie campaign in 2011, posting a 3.01 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched, and did not lose a beat to start 2012, striking out 32 in 32 innings in the month of April.

Then came elbow pain, and a diagnosis of bone chips earlier this summer. The condition is chronic, and could not worsen, and Worley had been told he could pitch as long as he was comfortable. Whether it was a coincidence or not, Worley had been completely ineffective since the All-Star Break, sporting a 5.04 ERA with just 29 strikeouts in 45 innings, and an .854 OPS allowed.

He is expected to be ready by Spring Training 2013.

Tyler Cloyd, brought up to the big club to fill-in for the ill Cole Hamels, will presumably take Worley's place in the rotation in September.