Halladay's surgery is successful

In the very best case scenario possible, Roy Halladay will be able to play catch before July. If that happens, he could progress into beginning a minor league rehab assignment perhaps in August and rejoin the rotation before the season ends.

That's the early take from the Phillies announcement on Thursday afternoon that Halladay's shoulder surgery was a success in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Phillies, Halladay had "an arthroscopic evaluation and underwent debridement of his labrum and rotator cuff as well as a removal of a an inflamed bursa (bone spur)."

The teams statement continued by saying, "if all goes well, he may possibly begin a throwing program in 6-8 weeks."

Again, that's the most optimitic outlook for Halladay, who turned 36 on Tuesday.

The reality remains the same as it was before the surgery: Halladay is optimitic he can return at some point in 2013, but there are certainly no guarantees because of both the procedure and the pitcher's age.

Phillies team physician Michael Ciccotti will meet with the media later this afternoon to talk about Halladay's surgery and rehab.