Happ progressing slowly
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Happ progressing slowly
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
When J.A. Happ landed on the disabled list because of a forearm injury nine days ago in Atlanta, the Phillies' hope was the lefthander would make a relatively quick return.
"I would say it would be closer to weeks than months," general manager Ruben Amaro said at the time.
Now, it seems likely that Happ will miss at least a month after a discouraging 20-pitch bullpen session Friday at Citizens Bank Park.
"It didn't go as well as we expected," pitching coach Rich Dubee said before Saturday's game against the New York Mets. "I don't know if it was because he pushed it pretty good the day before when he long tossed, but we'll find out. We'll see."
Happ has not pitched since an April 15 game against the Washington Nationals when he walked six batters and complained of forearm soreness afterward. The Phillies initially pushed back his next start, then placed him on the disabled list after a 20-pitch bullpen session in Atlanta did not yield positive results.
Now, Dubee doesn't know when Happ will try to throw again.
"We'll let it calm down for a couple days and adjust from there," Dubee said.
Dubee said he's still not overly concerned.
"Our doctors' reports are that everything is stable in there and now it's just a matter of getting this thing to calm down," the pitching coach said. "It hasn't calmed down enough yet, especially when he got on the (pitcher's mound). His long toss has improved greatly."
Dubee didn't rule out that Happ will need some rehab starts before returning to the rotation.
Happ's slow recovery presents a problem for a Phillies starting rotation already having problems with injuries and ineffectiveness.
With righthander Joe Blanton expected to come off the disabled list and make his first start of the season Monday against St. Louis, the team must decide whether to keep Kyle Kendrick in the rotation or replace him with Nelson Figueroa, who made a spot start in place of Happ a week ago in Arizona.
The Phillies seem to be leaning toward keeping Kendrick in the rotation, but Dubee made it clear he wasn't pleased with the righthander's work so far this season, particularly Friday night when he allowed four runs and two home runs against the Mets.
"I don't know if we have too many other options," Dubee said when asked if Kendrick would make his next start. "He's got to pick it up, though."
Dubee said he likes what Figueroa has provided for the Phillies, but added "I don't know if I like him as a rotation guy."
"He definitely is a piece," Dubee said. "He can do a lot of things for you. He got his first save (Wednesday in San Francisco), he can go long for you and he can pitch a couple innings. Those are all good things to have."
No we don't need Cliff Lee, Ruben. Good thing we have some depth in the minor leagues though...— Bobphxville- Bob, Lee's 7 innings of shutout ball in his season debut last night was beginner's luck. Rube's knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. We'll look back and laugh at all this when... uh... umm... Rubes will tell us when we can laugh.— kierenmcd
- Time for Chawlie to start shoving his feet up the *zzes of these ailing boys. Time to man up for Happ, Blanton, Lidge and Jimmy. What did these guys do in the off-season? Then again....that answer looks obvious.— Nutinpa
- at this point, I'd welcome Brett Myers back intothe rotation!— evadenyaw
Will you guys get over the Cliff Lee thing. Get over it and move on. They made their decision to get Halliday long term over Lee for one year. You couldn't have both, get over it. And you aren't keeping Werth either. Get over that too. Let's move on and see what happens. It's May 1st.- Like I said when we first heard of the injury.....tommy john— TR
- Trade Kendrick for a hamburger on Tuesday. Oh, and send Madson some flowers for me, will ya? And a one-way ticket to Oakland or someplace like that. Baez too. For all that, we could get one half-decent arm for the bullpen. Finally--yes, get over the Lee thing. Is Halliday disappointing? I dont think so. Just hope that Blanton's return goes well.— Rando
- andrewc23 is wrong on both counts.— matthew76
- cliff lee— jodya2
cliff lee is a free agent next year. he can still come back. jeremiah trotter came back. trades don't permanently move you. maybe next year they will decide it's worth the money to have two cy young's in their prime for four starts in the WS.— Evilvet- sounding more and more like tommy john surgery.— bill on the hill
- I'd rather give Carpenter a shot over Kendrick.— ESFjellin
Cliff Lee's refusal to start on short rest in the World Series is as much to blame as anything for the reason the didn't win the World Series last season. Halladay will go games one four and seven like a real ace is supposed to do. What is ailing the Phillies is that Little Jimmy is hurt. He is the Phillies MVP and has been since the first day he put the uniform on. By season's end they will be in the playoffs again. Quit whining and start supporting your team, you bunch of candy assed front runners.- god you are some of the dumbest people ever. i like how all you unlicensed medical professionals know it is tommy john.— tremo12
- Perhaps it's time for a cortisone shot in Happ's forearm and buckshot in Madson's glutes.— Delaware Jim
