Phillies Pitchers Getting Healthy

In more health news today, the Philadelphia Phillies are close to having two pitchers return to the big leagues. Starter J.A. Happ and reliever Clay Condrey are both trying to work their way back from strained oblique muscles.

Condrey suffered the injury back in June and made his last relief appearance in July. He pitched for the Reading Phillies in yesterday’s Eastern League’s playoff game. In the appearance he gave up two runs, two hits and a homerun in an inning of work. After the game he said, “It felt good” and that, “It reacted pretty good today. I’m sore, but it’s a good pitching sore.”

The Philadelphia Daily News says the Phillies were hoping to have him pitch in the teams double header against the New York Mets but wanted him to work more on his control. Instead he’ll make one or two more appearances, this time for the Lakewood Blue Claws playoff games.

On the season, Condrey’s has a 3.41 era over 36 appearances, with a 6-2 record.

J.A. Happ has a similar oblique injury but not nearly as severe, he suffered his nine days ago against the Houston Astros. He threw a bullpen session this morning at Citizens Bank Park, throwing 55 pitches.

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“I was a little nervous getting on the mound,” Happ said afterwards. “I felt good, though. I felt like I still had power and torque.”

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Happ says he could feel the strain but there was no longer sharp pain. As long as he’s not too sore tomorrow the team may consider giving him some game action. If he’s ore then he’ll spend a little more time resting.

Getting both of these pitchers back is key for a deep Phillies playoff run. The bullpen is weakened by Brad Lidge’s season long struggle, putting Condrey back in the ‘pen will allow them to hide Lidge even more. While Happ would either be the fourth starter (which he should be over Joe Blanton) or pitch in the long relief role.