Dubee: Happ could miss next start with forearm soreness
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Dubee: Happ could miss next start with forearm soreness
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Lefthander J.A. Happ could miss his next start with left forearm soreness, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Sunday morning.
Happ lightly tossed for about 10 minutes in short right field before Sunday's game with Dubee intently watching. Happ stopped throwing and chatted with Dubee for about two minutes before heading inside. Dubee said Happ did not experience any soreness during the light toss on flat ground.
Happ has not being doing his regular side work, Dubee said. That leaves Wednesday's scheduled start against Atlanta up in the air.
"We're not sure," Dubee said.
CSNPhilly.com first reported the injury Saturday night.
Dubee said he found out about the soreness during Happ's start. But catcher Carlos Ruiz said he wasn't aware of any issues until Sunday. And manager Charlie Manuel didn't know during the game either. Before Friday's game, Manuel had a talk with Happ in the clubhouse, encouraging the pitcher to come 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 start but the pain lessened as the game continued. Dubee echoed those sentiments. Happ walked six batters in 5 1/3 innings and allowed only one unearned run.
Happ's average fastball velocity in his last start was 88.07 m.p.h., according to pitch data from Major League Baseball. His average velocity on 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," he said.
Dubee pointed out that different 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."
But the Phillies are taking precautions with Happ. Dubee and Manuel both said they do not have to make a decision yet on Happ's Wednesday start. Because of the off day Monday, Happ could be skipped in the rotation and everyone else would stay on regular rest.
"We're playing it by ear," Dubee said.
The good old days. Every pitcher was Robin Roberts, completing 28 games a year. Nobody had arm problems. All I remember as a kid was every other mediocre pitcher having a "sore arm" (they didn't talk about frayed labrums, tendons et al). You really think there's a magic bullet to pitchers not getting hurt? They're attempting to eject their arm from their body at 100MPH over and over - big surprise sometimes they get hurt.— COskier
It's a 162 game season. No need to jump off yet. Hamels pitched really well in yesterday's loss. Happ may miss 1 start. Relax.— jimydipstick- I hope the bats get hot again....soon!— Gus L.
- Not to worry. I think it's early and they will get better as the season goes on. Oh i still say 103 games will be won.— I M Jim
- there done pack it in till next year . oh whoa is me!— Snoddy
- Hamels pitched a gem today, and all I can say is where oh where is the offense?LOL This should have been a tie game if Jason Werth didn't take his eye off the errant throw. Hopefully we can come back in the 9th...— phigglesfan75
- Calling Dr. Pedro. Dr. Pedro, please report to the OR!— Krusty
- Slow DOWN folks! How about we get to the quarter-pole at LEAST before we jump ship.If, after forty gaqmes, our record (The ONLY important thing at this time)is not what it should be, say 25-15, THEN you front runners can go join the legions of Braves, Mets, Marlins and Nationals fans. But I concur that the starting staff (excluding Doc, of course)is not having the type of success that we hoped they would. I also have no doubt that our Fightin's well absorb this and continue on to the Division title. I will spare you my usual dissertation about the playoffs because I bet some of you are sick of seeing it. Buck up!...Savor the season! Best damn lineup in Baseball here, with at least TWO of our guys seemingly intent on posting MVP-Type numbers with the bat! We have PLENTY of riches THIS year...ENJOY IT!!— TBear
- I you're going to pitch Jamie Moyer every nine days, he'll never hit his stride. He needs to be the fifth starter EVERY TIME, not just for select games. Everyone should know you can't set people down for extra days and expect them to go out and pitch efficiently--except for a fool.— erhardef
- After Halladay, the rest stink— eaglesman1
- Really quite remarkable how easily pitchers in this era break down, despite pitch counts and five-man rotations. Nolan Ryan with Texas is pushing pitchers to throw more innings and throw more between games. Presumably, pitchers, their agents, and the Players Association will lodge formal complaints.— chuckw
- And of course, as soon as I post that, Hamels gives up another solo shot. Without being negative, at least it's a solo shot, which is better than bases having runners on, but come on. He has got to increase his focus out there on the mound, and quickly.— Bleue
- wow how many more injuries can we endure. Geez, bats better get super hot again as last nite they looked like they couldn't catch a cold for a hit.— invinciblelatin
- It is still early in the season and every team has to go through these things....hopefully it's not long term, and some early season rest could help in the long run. KK will need to get it together, along with Moyer, and Hamels better keep making improvements from start to start.— Bleue
- Great, the Phillies have only two quality starters and one is going down with an injury. I hope the bats stay hot.— craig123
- We need big Joe ASAP— raube8
- Gulp!— fizzbin
