In fact, manager Charlie Manuel's summation of the reports he has received on Happ was underwhelming.
"From the sound of what they are telling me, it sounds more like he might still need some work," Manuel said.
The Phillies have to make a move of some kind this week. According to major league rules, the rehab assignment that he began in early June will expire tomorrow. The Phillies could file for an extension, but to do so, they would have to claim that Happ's strained left forearm requires more time to rehabilitate. That does not appear to be the case. Happ has said since his fifth rehab start that he feels healthy enough to pitch at the big-league level, and the Phillies have not publicly disagreed with that sentiment.
But Happ, sidelined since April 16 with what has been diagnosed as a forearm strain, has minor league options remaining. That means the team has the flexibility to send him to Lehigh Valley and keep him pitching every fifth day.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee said Happ's arm speed and velocity were better on Sunday than they had been in his previous five outings - the radar gun in Allentown had him sitting between 88-91 mph, touching 92 on occasion.
Happ retired the first nine batters he faced, showing good life on his fastball and good command of the inside part of the plate. But he threw 30 pitches in the fourth inning, and left the game in the sixth having thrown 103.
Asked about the possibility of being optioned to the minors, Happ replied, "We'll just see what happens. I don't think that's necessary."
Said Dubee: "His opinion and other people's opinion might differ. We'll come to that conclusion. Heck, every player thinks they're ready. They all think they're ready to pick up where they left off. Sometimes, it's not that easy.''
Catching woes
