Phillies Notes: Happ could miss next start

Lefthander J.A. Happ could miss his next start with left forearm soreness, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Sunday. But the Phillies will wait to make a decision. Happ is in line to pitch Wednesday in Atlanta.

The Phillies are taking precautions with Happ, and Dubee and manager Charlie Manuel both said they were not yet forced to make a decision on his next start. Even if Happ is healthy, Roy Halladay could take his place Wednesday because the Phillies have said they want Halladay to pitch on normal rest as frequently as possible.

Regardless, Happ lightly tossed for about 10 minutes in short right field before Sunday's game with Dubee intently watching. After Happ stopped throwing, he chatted with Dubee for a few minutes before heading inside. Dubee said Happ did not experience any soreness during the light toss on flat ground.

Happ has not been doing his regular side work, Dubee said. That leaves Wednesday's start up in the air.

"We're not sure," Dubee said.

Dubee said he found out about the soreness during Happ's last start, Thursday vs. Washington, but catcher Carlos Ruiz said he wasn't aware of any issues until Sunday. And Manuel didn't know during Thursday's game, either. Before Friday's game, Manuel had a talk with Happ in the clubhouse, encouraging the pitcher to talk to him because his "door is always open."

"J.A. doesn't necessarily like to tell you," Manuel said Sunday.

Happ declined to comment before Sunday's game.

Manuel said, from the way he understands it, Happ experienced the soreness early in his last start, but the pain lessened as the game continued. Dubee echoed that. Happ walked six batters in 51/3 innings and allowed just one run, an unearned one, in the 7-5 loss.

Happ's average fastball velocity against Washington was 88.07 m.p.h., according to pitch data from Major League Baseball. His average fastball velocity in his first start April 9 against Houston was 89.62 m.p.h.

The soreness could have been a factor in the slight decrease.

"That might be part of it," Dubee said.

Dubee was quick to point out that some pitchers will go through stages of "dead-arm periods" early in the season.

"These guys aren't machines," Dubee said. "The same thing doesn't come out of their arm each time."

With an off day Monday, Happ could be pushed back a few days or even skipped in the rotation while everyone else would stay on regular rest.

"We're playing it by ear," Dubee said.

The news on injured starter Joe Blanton (strained left side muscle) is better for the Phillies. Blanton threw 60 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday and was cleared to start Tuesday at single-A Lakewood in his first rehab appearance.

"I feel good," Blanton said.

Blanton said he will throw about two innings or 30 pitches at Lakewood. Then, he will make two longer appearances for double-A Reading. His last one, if everything goes as planned, will be April 28.

That means Blanton could be back in the Phillies' rotation by the first week of May.

Chase Utley has reached base safely in all 12 of the Phillies' games this season. . . . Raul Ibanez pinch-hit in the ninth inning and struck out. He is 0 for his last 13 at-bats and is hitting .171 this season. . . . Both Brad Lidge (Clearwater) and J.C. Romero (Lehigh Valley) will throw in rehab games Monday. . . . Injured shortstop Jimmy Rollins (calf) will travel with the team during the nine-game road trip that starts Tuesday in Atlanta. The Phillies will depart Monday afternoon. Kyle Kendrick starts Tuesday against righthander Tommy Hanson.