Phillies' Halladay feeling better

Phillies all-star Roy Halladay expects to make his next scheduled start after leaving Monday's 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs because of the steamy conditions.

Halladay had to leave after Starlin Castro led off the fifth with a single. The right-hander bent over, drawing a visit from a trainer, and departed with the Cubs leading 3-1.

Halladay tried to stay hydrated. He used iced towels and changed his shirt, but he simply couldn't continue after Castro's hit. He said he had never experienced anything like that, but was feeling "a lot" better Tuesday and thought he would able to make his scheduled start against San Diego on Sunday.

"I felt like I could get through it," Halladay said. "That last inning, there was a point where I was about to get wheeled off. … It seemed like in between innings, I couldn't get away from it. It's almost as hot in here [the dugout] as it is out there. You can't escape it."

Halladay said he's pitched in hotter weather, but this time, the heat and humidity got the best of him. He wasn't sure why, exactly.

Nor was manager Charlie Manuel or pitching coach Rich Dubee.

"He was still drinking a lot of fluids and stuff," Manuel said. "He got to the place where he was having trouble breathing so we felt we've got to get him. He was really, really hot."

Dubee said: "What happened yesterday to Roy, I can't explain it. He takes as good a care of himself as anybody I've ever seen as far as staying hydrated and all that stuff."

The Phillies also got good news about Roy Oswalt, who threw nearly 50 pitches in a pain-free bullpen session on Tuesday. He hopes to return from lower back inflammation early next month.

"I feel great," said Oswalt, who's been on the DL twice this season because of the back problem.

Oswalt expects to throw another bullpen session on Friday and probably make two minor league rehab appearances before returning.

He said he had a painkilling injection in late April and another right before the all-star break that was more effective.