Panic began to set in Friday throughout the Delaware Valley when Roy Oswalt walked off the mound with the Phillies training staff.

The panic grew worse when the injury was called back spasms and fans began to make that connection that Oswalt has had back issues before (even though it's never been THAT bad -- he's made 30 or more starts for seven straight seasons).

The panic can now be downgraded. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said Oswalt was "much improved" and that chances are "very high" the right-hander will stay on rotation and make his next scheduled start, Thursday in San Diego.

"He's doing fine," Dubee said.

The Phils will keep the rest of their rotation in order, too, following Saturday's rain out (Joe Blanton Monday, Roy Halladay Tuesday, etc). Which isn't a surprise at all, since both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are coming off complete games and there is at least a chance Oswalt could still be skipped.

But Oswalt sounded confident Sunday.

"I should be able to make it," Oswalt said.