Jason Levine, here. Scott just dictated this dispatch from the clubhouse at Turner Field. ...ATLANTA -- Rookie lefthander J.A. Happ will start in place of struggling righty Kyle Kendrick on Wednesday when the Phillies take on the Braves here at 7:05 p.m.
Happ, 25, has appeared in five games for the Phillies this season, including two starts. He has no record and a 5.71 ERA in 17.1 innings. It will be Happ's fourth career major-league start. He hasn't started since Aug. 26 for triple-A Lehigh Valley, although he has been keeping his arm stretched out by throwing regular bullpen sessions since rejoining the Phillies on Sept. 1.
Kendrick has tallied an 11.56 ERA in his last six starts.
Phils manager Charlie Manuel said Happ's lack of major-league innings may help him Wednesday. "[The Braves] haven't seen him," Manuel said. "He's new, he's lefthanded, he's had some rest."
Manuel said Kendrick, on the other hand, needs rest. "Kyle needs a break -- mentally and physically," he said. "I definitely haven't given up on Kyle. But he's never been this far into a season before."
(Updated, 5:31 p.m.): Back from the clubhouse with a few more nuggets.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee said the Phillies believed Happ was their best choice, which tells you how far Kendrick has fallen. Another indicator: Dubee said he'd like for Kendrick to pitch in the Phillies' Florida instructional league this fall to work on developing a slider and a changeup. Kendrick throws primarily a sinker, and after nearly two seasons, that's no longer enough for him to consistently get out major-league hitters. Kendrick politely declined to comment.
Regarding Happ, he found out he was starting about an hour before we did, which is to say at about 4 p.m. Evidently, Dubee came up to him and said, "Tomorrow." That was about it. The Braves have several lefthanded hitters (Brian McCann, Kelly Johnson, Gregor Blanco, Casey Kotchman), so the Phils believe that Happ will present a favorable matchup for them.
Dubee and Manuel haven't committed to giving Happ another start when his turn in the rotation comes around Monday against the Braves at the Bank. But the Phillies will certainly need a starter for that game because they're unlikely to use Cole Hamels on short rest. Asked if Jamie Moyer or Brett Myers could pitch on short rest next week, Dubee said, "I wouldn't rule it out." That's a change from last week when Dubee said it was doubtful that Moyer or Myers would pitch again on three days' rest.
Tonight's lineup features no surprises against Braves rookie RHP James Parr (1-0, 0.00): SS Jimmy Rollins, 2B Chase Utley, RF Jayson Werth, 1B Ryan Howard, LF Pat Burrell, CF Shane Victorino, 3B Pedro Feliz, C Carlos Ruiz, Moyer (14-7, 3.68).
That brings you up to speed for now. More in a bit.
1 comment:
Moyer looked tired. But he also looked like a guy who gave it everything he had. He's a big-time hero in my book.
Kendrick "politely declined to comment." That strikes me as being professional, given the circumstances. I truly hope he finds himself.
I like how the team looks right now and am trying not to think about Lidge too much... He's earned far more and is still perfect.
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