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Thursday, July 10, 2008
Happ Optioned, Cervenak Up

The Phillies optioned lefthander J.A. Happ to triple-A Lehigh Valley and have purchased the contract of infielder Mike Cervenak.

The Phillies don't need a fifth starter until the July 22-24 series against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Rather than have Happ sit and not pitch for 15 days, they have sent him to the IronPigs to continue to pitch. There remains a chance he could return and pitch against the Mets in a couple weeks, but not if the Phillies think Brett Myers is ready to return to the rotation. Myers is pitching tomorrow for double-A Reading and will make one more minor-league start after the all-star break. He could after that.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 11:34 AM  Permalink | 45 comments
45
Comments   
Posted 11:51 AM, 07/10/2008
Truth
I wonder if Cholly had a say in this? I don't see how the mgr would rather have Eaton pitch than Happ. This is really a pathetic decision by P.G. and the brain trust...
Posted 12:09 PM, 07/10/2008
acerulli
It's all about the benjamins... Eaton is making them, so he will pitch, unless they can invent another arm injury. I always find that philosophy interesting though...don't release a player because you owe him money, and don't want to pay someone not play for your team, so instead keep him, and pay him the same money to HURT your team.
Posted 12:12 PM, 07/10/2008
KGKoons
Agreed. Send Eaton to Japan. Anywhere. Happ has pitched bravely. Eaton is a wuss. Time to cut bait with this lout and allow some other pitcher to take his position. And another infielder like Mike? Why????
Posted 12:14 PM, 07/10/2008
Shabba Rommel
Myers is toast. Happ isnt the anwer. Eaton is done. Moyer/Kendrick are average. Ownership is just making excuses why they wont sign another starter. No Championship for the Phils this year.
Posted 12:25 PM, 07/10/2008
Bubba346
Look! I acknowledge its way too early to get excited about Happ. After all he only pitched two games. Question. This year has Meyers or Eaton pitched two consectutive games like Happ? Just wondering.
Posted 12:28 PM, 07/10/2008
RAS
Happ has shown us that he has good command of his pitches. If he can develop an effective changeup (see Hamels and Kendrick) to go along with his other pitches, he'll be the real deal. Good for him and the Phils! It'll be interesting to watch his development. I wouldn't be surpised if he supplants Myers or Eaton in the rotation in the near future, especially if Gordon is out for longer than 15 days. The down side of all this is whether or not Pat Gillick is thinking that he doesn't need to acquire another starter now. Say it ain't so Pat.
Posted 12:34 PM, 07/10/2008
Matt
Truth is an idiot. They sent Happ down so he can pitch again in 5 days. He'll be back up after the break.
Posted 12:35 PM, 07/10/2008
jrquixote
What do we have to do to jettison So Taguchi and bring up Jaramillo, if just for a while?
Posted 12:37 PM, 07/10/2008
yobill626
Eaton certainly hasn't been terrible over the course of the year --- not like his last start. People are still pi$$ed off from last year's implosion --- THAT might be the reason Eaton is eventually sent packing, not his current productivity (which is average). Happ has shown himself (so far) to be in the Kyle Kendrick mold --- & that's not a bad thing. Happ did himself a solid in his short trip. If he goes down & does what he's told, he'll be back. I don't want the Phils to mortgage their future for a shot this year. A Sabathia deal would have been a terrible one for the Phils.
Posted 12:43 PM, 07/10/2008
pat h
Myers, should be back after break. Happ, filled in and did a great job. He has a future in this organization
Posted 12:48 PM, 07/10/2008
Truth
Matt-you are an idiot and have the reading comprehension skills of my 4 yr old niece. Why should he pitch there in 5 days and not here in Eatons place when he starts again?
Posted 01:04 PM, 07/10/2008
scotty82
Because, Truth, in 5 days the Phils are on the All Star break. They want to keep Happ on his regular schedule so he can be ready to go July 22nd, as stated in the article. Looks like your niece has better reading comprehension skills than YOU.
Posted 01:04 PM, 07/10/2008
yahmpy
Happ can use the work, but I'm still saying I'd rather have Happ pitching for the Phils instead of Eaton. Why deal for a B-list lefty who's a chronic complainer and injured list candidate like Bedard, when you have a guy like Happ who could probably give you the same 6-7 innings for about six and a half million dollars less? I can't wait to see what the Phillies finally do at the end of the month to set their rotation.
Posted 01:06 PM, 07/10/2008
RAS
Matt and Truth, there are no games in either league (MLB or AAA) in five days due to the All Star break. S who's the idiot? Serioulsy guys, the name calling gets old. Please treat each other with respect. Thanks.
Posted 01:14 PM, 07/10/2008
Matt
Eaton starts Saturday. According to my math, if Happ started again Saturday he would be pitching on 3 days rest. 5 days is the all star break pal.
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Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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