According to Ruben Amaro, J.A. Happ will miss his scheduled Wednesday start against Atlanta. In a press release, Amaro said, “J.A. Happ experienced soreness in his left elbow after his last start. He was seen by Dr. Michael Ciccotti and had an MRI. The MRI revealed a very mild flexor pronator muscle strain. J.A. has been progressing and improving since then, but we will take a conservative approach and skip his next start. He is scheduled for a bullpen session on Thursday.”
The Phillies rotation for their upcoming series in Atlanta is as follows:
Tuesday – RHP Kyle Kendrick
Wednesday – RHP Roy Halladay
Thursday – LHP Jamie Moyer
There were concerns over Happ’s velocity and it looks like this strain is the culprit. In his last start, Happ allowed six walks, but somehow left without giving up an earned run. A candidate to jump in for a spot start should the soreness linger would be Nelson Figueroa. Since joining the team prior to the start of the season, Figgy has done quite well in relief duty.
The news on Happ isn’t good, but it isn’t awful either. If he misses one start, and all he needs is some rest, then the Phils will get off easy here. Let’s hope the velocity is back on Thursday, when he is scheduled for a bullpen session.
Joe Blanton will pitch tomorrow for Class-A Lakewood as he continues to rehab that oblique injury.
