Tornadoes prompt Oswalt to leave Phillies

PHOENIX, April 27 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt has left the team to check on his family and home after tornadoes raked Mississippi, the team said Wednesday.

After initially declining to explain Oswalt's absence other than to say it was for personal reasons, Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. issued a statement explaining the pitcher was worried about his family after severe storms tore through the South, killing at least 12 people.

"There has been a tremendous amount of tornado activity near Roy's home in Mississippi resulting in several tragic deaths and significant devastation to the area," Amaro said in the statement given to the Philadelphia Daily News.

"Because of this, Roy is concerned about his family's well-being. He has chosen to take time to make sure there wasn't significant damage to his home, but more importantly, to make certain that his wife and children are okay."

Amaro noted Oswalt's parents' home was destroyed by a tornado last year, "which has heightened his concern about the current situation. We are hopeful that he will rejoin the team for his next start, but will take that day-by-day."

Oswalt was pulled from Tuesday's game at Arizona after giving up five runs over three innings. He was making a second start since reporting a problem with back spasms but the Phillies said the decision to remove Oswalt from the game was related to ineffectiveness, not injury.

Oswalt is 3-1 with a 3.33 earned run average this season.