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Halladay pitches six innings in rehab start

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay took another step toward rebooting his 2013 season -- and career-- when he made his first minor league rehab start Thursday afternoon in Clearwater, Fla.

Pitching for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, Halladay allowed three runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out four in six innings of work against the G.C.L. Pirates. Halladay threw 87 pitches.

Earlier this week, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Halladay could potentially rejoin the major league rotation after two minor league rehab starts. If Halladay stayed on his regular turn, he could pitch in a rehab game for Triple-A Lehigh Valley or Class A Clearwater on Tuesday before jumping back into the Phillies rotation Aug. 25 at Citizens Bank Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Halladay hasn't pitched for the Phillies since May 5. He underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery May 15, a day after his 36th birthday.

Although Halladay's career is a lot closer to the end than the beginning, and he's just three months removed from major surgery, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was not betting against the two-time Cy Young Award winner's chances at becoming an effective pitcher again.

Halladay was 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA in seven starts this season.

"Ain't nobody going to work harder than Halladay," Manuel said. "He's going to put everything in it that he possibly can. ... He's very determined. ... I've met guys that work out harder in Japan," Manuel said with a chuckle. "In U.S., he might be the top. ... Halladay is definitely up there. I can't think of anyone that can beat Halladay."