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He is different because he is healthy.
Happ is 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 17 starts this season for triple-A Lehigh Valley, which is why the Phillies chose him to replace Brett Myers in their rotation. Happ, a 6-foot-6 lefthander, will pitch tonight against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
He is expected to make one more start next week; Myers could return to the team after the all-star break.
"I feel good about it," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "I was impressed with J.A. this spring. I thought we saw a different guy. I thought he carried himself much better. I thought his presence and poise were much improved."
Happ pitched through soreness in his elbow last season with triple-A Ottawa, where he went 4-6 with a 5.02 ERA in 24 starts. He made his big-league debut June 30 last year against the Mets. He allowed seven hits, five runs, two walks and three home runs in four innings of an 8-3 loss. He struck out five.
"He pitched hurt," said Steve Noworyta, the Phillies' minor-league director. "Now that he's healthy, he has more arm speed than last year. His velocity is better. His command is a lot better."
In 1012/3 innings for the IronPigs, Happ had allowed 91 hits and 38 walks. He struck out 104, which leads the International League.
The Phillies also had discussed promoting Lehigh Valley lefthander Brian Mazone.
Happ has a considerable task ahead of him. He not only has to face the Mets' lineup, he also has to oppose Mets lefthander Johan Santana.
"He's not pitching against Santana," Dubee said. "Hopefully, Santana only hits once, depending on how well he pitches. Hopefully he doesn't hit at all. But he just needs to pitch against that lineup and pitch the way he has been pitching and be relaxed about it."
To make room for Happ on the 25-man roster, the Phillies optioned lefthander R.J. Swindle to Lehigh Valley.
at 215-854-4874 or tzolecki@phillynews.com.
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at http://go.philly.com/phillieszone.
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