Happ said his fastball topped out from 86 to 89 m.p.h. in his last start. He said the injury is not affecting his ability to throw, but he needs time to build up arm strength.
"I think we have some concern because he has been out a while," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, "but he hasn't shown any signs of any setbacks, especially the last couple weeks, so that's a good sign."
Amaro said Happ is "basically starting from scratch" and likened his arm progression to that of spring training. The lefthander has not pitched for the Phillies since April 15.
So after Friday, how many more outings would Happ need before being ready?
"We're still discussing that," Amaro said.
Amaro said as long as Happ isn't in pain, he's happy. But if Happ continues to struggle and not display his normal repertoire of pitches, the Phillies may not be able to count on him for some time.
"After his first setback I'm not surprised," Amaro said. "He started feeling discomfort after we started moving him forward, so I'm not surprised it has taken this long. Now he's in a mode where he's building up his arm strength."
Utley moves up
Charlie Manuel insisted that the only reason he split up Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the batting order Tuesday was because of who they were facing, Yankees lefthander CC Sabathia.
Manuel batted Utley second, marking the first time he had not hit third all season. Both of the lefthanded batters in the middle of the Phillies' lineup have struggled mightily. But Manuel said this was the first time he thought about splitting them up.
And even if Utley had been his normal self, Manuel maintained he would have considered making the same move.
"I might have," he said.
Utley hit second 18 times in 2009 and did well. He hit .309 with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs in 68 at-bats. The last time he hit anywhere other than third was July 30, 2009.
