Park named 5th starter; Happ will compete for bullpen spot
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Park named 5th starter; Happ will compete for bullpen spot
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Sorry, but something got lost in translation between here and Clearwater. Chan Ho Park has been named the Phillies' fifth starter. But lefthander J.A. Happ's future is still up in the air. He will be one of four pitchers competing for two spots in the bullpen. The others are righthanders Gary Majewski and Robert Mosebach and lefthander Jack Taschner.
Park has a Grapefruit League ERA of 2.53. He’s struck out 25, while walking only two, in 21 1/3 innings.
Happ has as ERA of 3.15. He’s given up 18 hits in 20 innings, walking six and striking out 14.
More details to come ...
To read our earlier post about the release of Geoff Jenkins, click here.
Why keep Happ in the pen? Wouldn't he be better served getting starts down in LHV?— tjc- mikemibs, and there are also 2 lefties in the rotation. I rather have 3 lefties in the bullpen than in the rotation.— EL Zorro
- Don't mind Park getting the 5th starter spot but they should NOT put Happ in the pen. he will not be successful there and it will stunt his developement as a starter. Let him start in AAA and call him up when there is an injury or Park stinks— Lemur
- Good move. I'd be nervous having too many lefties.— davekrieg
- My first visit to Citizens Bank Park coming soon!— Ji
- Happ needs to go to AAA and remain a starter. No more yo-yo stuff, like the Phils did with Myers. It won't be long before we need a starter because of injury. Hamels' elbow comes to mind. If we try to transition Happ from reliever to starter it will be rough on him.— dlscholt
- Disappointed. Happ is a solid guy. The Ho has been with 5 teams and has not really been a stud starter. If Happ gets regular turns as starter with I-Pigs he will be ready to join the rotation when one of the big club starters flames out.— mick314
- The Phillies opened last year with Kendrick & Eaton in their rotation, so having Blanton & Park this season definitely represents an upgrade. Happ's time will come...teams never get through a season without needing additional starting pitching sometime during the year...— Jeff Dowder
- Since they have to pay him anyway, wouldn't it have been better to keep Jenkins, who can play outfield well, and release Stairs, who can't? And can Sheffield still play outfield?— gbrettfan
- Congrats to Park! He deserves the spot.— ionch
- Its almost as if everyone on this board forgets that Park hasnt been an effective starter since 2001. This shouldve been Happs job - theres no way Park makes it through the season. One good month against minor leaguers shouldnt qualify someone for the job, it should be the body of work.
- And Happ's body of work is what exactly? He isn't even Marty Bystom, Bob Walk, Pat Coombs or Brandon Duckworth yet. And Park has more wins than all of them put together.— jimmymack
- I've said it before; Happ is a keeper!. The kid has ice in his veins and would be a great contributor to this team. Rueben, what are you thinking? (Sheffield??? Get real!)— thejerz
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