This season, his ERA is 5.77. Only one pitcher, Boston's John Lackey, has a worse ERA in at least 130 innings pitched. Happ was demoted to triple A in early August and spent three weeks in Oklahoma. It's been downhill since that stellar rookie season, and perhaps a lesson in the small sample size of baseball that is 162 games.
Worley's numbers are eerily similar to those of Happ's 2009 season, when he was second in rookie of the year voting. Worley's ERA (2.92) is one point lower. Both allowed about eight hits per nine innings and pitched out of jams. Worley's strikeout rate, however, is 7.9 per nine innings. Happ's in 2009 was 6.5.
"To come in and fill the spot the way he has is impressive," Happ said of Worley.
All Happ can do is watch from afar and he said he has paid attention to the Phillies success. ("I'm not surprised," he said.) At the beginning of the season, Happ missed a chance to pitch against the Phillies. Now he will.
"There might be some emotions there," Happ said. "I'll try to keep it separate."
Utley, Rollins progress
The double-play tandem was still not reunited Monday, but Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins both took big steps toward being in the same lineup again.
Utley passed another ImPACT test Monday, which showed he had no remaining concussion symptoms. The test showed he matched his baseline recorded at the beginning of spring training, Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. The team expects him back on Thursday when the Phillies begin a 10-game homestand.
Rollins was a step ahead. He returned to Charlie Manuel's lineup Monday for the first time since Aug. 21. The strained groin that kept him sidelined was healed sufficiently.
The shortstop said he will have enough time before the playoffs - as opposed to last season - to regain sharpness.
"Last year I was never able to get into a rhythm to begin with," Rollins said. "This year I've got almost 500 at-bats, so it's a completely different situation. Coming back now - I've had a couple pinch hit at-bats, which were fun. They went pretty well. I felt good. I didn't feel like I had any timing issues. That's the only thing you concern yourself with is the timing."
Kendrick to start
Kyle Kendrick, as expected, will start the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against Florida. Cliff Lee will start the nightcap.
When Kendrick takes the mound Thursday, he'll be pitching on 21 days rest. How will that go?
"We'll see," Kendrick said. "It'll be the first time."
Kendrick has thrown regularly on the side, but he hasn't faced a hitter in three weeks, and that's important.
Extra bases
Wilson Valdez (left hamstring) did not take batting practice and was unavailable off the bench. There is no timetable for his return.
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or @magelb on Twitter.
