Happ to Miss Next Start, Maybe More
The Phillies issued the following news release earlier today from Ruben Amaro Jr.:
“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.”
Kyle Kendrick will open the three-game series against the Braves tomorrow night at Turner Field. Roy Halladay will pitch Wednesday and Jamie Moyer will pitch Thursday. Cole Hamels will open the three-game series against the Diamondbacks on Friday.
The Phillies don’t need a fifth starter until Saturday.
Happ could pitch Saturday, if his bullpen session goes well. Or they could have Nelson Figueroa make a spot start. Because the Phillies play no game April 29, they actually would not need a fifth starter again until May 4 against the Cardinals. Obviously, Happ could slide in anywhere along that timeframe if he feels better. And the Phillies certainly need him to feel better.
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Todd Zolecki
The Phils need to RE-HAPP!
Todd, do you know why the site has moved the link to your blog alll the way down and to the left of the front page? Maybe a jealous co-worker is trying to reduce the number of posts. lol
Forget Happ, folks. This is the same thing that happened to J.C. Romero last season. They can talk about ‘flexor prontators’ all the want, but this is an elbow problem. I’m no doctor, but I think he will eventually need surgery to fix the problem.
phan52: Boy I hope you’re wrong!
I hope I’m wrong also, karen. If the injury is just a muscle strain then he will be OK. But if it is up in the tendon area he will have to be shelved for a while.