Amaro: Happ's not going out of anywhere
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today that lefthander J.A. Happ will remain in the Phillies rotation for the rest of the season, and raised the possibility of a six-man rotation that would utlilize both Pedro Martinez and Jamie Moyer as starters.
Amaro: Happ's not going out of anywhere
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today that lefthander J.A. Happ will remain in the Phillies rotation for the rest of the season, and raised the possibility of a six-man rotation that would utlilize both Pedro Martinez and Jamie Moyer as starters.
"Happ's not going out of anywhere," Amaro said, providing the first definitive answer about the young lefty's future after a week of speculation surrounding a possible return to the bullpen.
The Phillies general manager lauded Happ for maintaining his focus throughout a trying month that saw his name bandied about in trade rumors. For the previous week, the club had not ruled out sending Happ back to the bullpen in order to create a rotation spot for Martinez, who drew rave reviews in what was likely his last rehab outing Wednesday night. Martinez and Happ pitched on the same night, which would have made for a seamless transition. Plus, Happ started the season in the bullpen, while veteran Jamie Moyer is not suited for such a role.
But Amaro indicated that Happ is simply too valuable as a starter to consider moving him to the bullpen, especially after a complete game performance against the Rockies Wednesday night in which he allowed four hits and no runs and struck out a career-high 11.
Amaro called it "maybe one fo the best games we've pitched this year."
So where does that leave the decision-making process? Although Amaro said no decisions are final, Martinez is likely to join the Phillies' active roster sometime this weekend. The GM said that Martinez "threw very well" in striking out 11 in six innings at Double-A Reading.
"I think he can get major league hitters out with his stuff," Amaro said. "I know it was a minor league club, but when you have 11 strikeouts and no walks, that's good in Little League."
Amaro said that Martinez threw harder in his final inning than he did in his first. His fastball sat in the 86-to-90 range, topping out at 92.
But Martinez's induction into the rotation does not necessarily mean that Jamie Moyer is out of a job. Moyer will make his next start, Sunday, against the Marlins. At that point, Amaro said the Phillies could experiment with a six-man rotation, pitching certain guys on normal rest -- think Joe Blanton and Cliff Lee, and maybe Cole Hamels -- and others on five days. Happ has thrown 115 innings and his coming off a 127-pitch effort. The Phillies certainly could make an argument that he deserves another day off in addition to Monday's off day. That would open up a hole for Martinez to start on Tuesday in Chicago.
"We still haven't made a decision," Amaro said. "It's not out of the possibility to go with a six-man rotation."
In other news, Amaro said Chad Durbin pitched well in his rehab outing Wednesday night. The righthander will make another appearance Friday, then will return to Philadelphia. At that point, the team will decide whether he is ready to join the active roster, or if he needs another rehab start. Regardless, barring set-backs, he should be back with the club within the next week.
Why doesn't Moyer volunteer to go to the pen? He knows he's the worst starter and must have a clue that he won't be starting any October games.- Dull, youre a moron. Yea this is the same decision making that brought us a world series title, im sure youre much more knowledgable than their collective minds are, right? Ruben made the right decision...again! :-)— Pantaphobia
- Dull get a brain. R.A. is one of ther best new GMs in baseball. BTW who put us ahead last night ... er ... was it ... Bako?— david1
- Some people are not happy no matter what you do! Dull, change your name to dunce. A defending World Series championship team, leading there division by 7 or so games, and made moves that have worked. One of the leading contenders for another Championship, and this guy is still complaining! Go jump off the Ben Franklin you fool!— lateofphilly
Comment removed.- Bako, the same Bako that hit his first HR in a year, i think catchers are more important behind the plate than at the plate. ok, piazza, daulton, there are many good ones but, i prefer a good calling backstop as to good hitting one. The pitcher has to feel comfortable with who's back there, that i think is more important. dull your a dunce idiot. "that's what really grinds my gears"— 4u2digest
- Hey Murph, any word from Amaro or Dubee about whether Mathieson could be a bullpen contributor after the September call-ups? Gammons wrote something today saying that Mathieson is throwing in the high 90s and looking good right now in Double AA as he tries to work his way back to the bigs.— JimG
- Dull is seriously an Idiot. Bako got the winning run for Lee and has done a fine job behind the plate. Can't you do any better than that? Obviously you know your limitations, as you are clearly "Dull" or as they say " Not the sharpest tool in the shed" Just plain Dull— Philbert
- Comment removed.
- If you go with 6 starters on extended rest, you'll be taking starts away from Lee. Also, past history has shown that Hamels does not like his "cycle" changed - not that he is excelling now anyway.— octom
- What everyone needs to remember about a 5.55 ERA versus a 4.68 ERA is and average figured over 9 innings, not 6 and2/3rds or 5. So over the coarse of Nine innings Moyer gives up 5.55 runs and Hamels gives up 4.68 runs the difference is less than a run per nine innings. Maybe we should get rid of Cole as well.— Wally 24
- Six man rotation is a great idea. Now the Phils just have to start hitting every now and then.— andwhysee
- Another good reason for a 6 man rotation would be to utilize Myers when he comes back. My thinking would be to drop Moyer.— PhillySportsPhan007
