Happ, Eyre head list of injured pitchers

WASHINGTON - Scott Proefrock, the Phillies' assistant general manager, admitted his head was spinning a bit as he detailed the injuries on the pitching staff before last night's game against Washington at Nationals Park.

Although Proefrock seemed cautiously optimistic that all - or at least most - hands would be on deck before long, the injuries have become a source of concern for the Phils as they head toward the home stretch.

The most worrisome injuries appear to be J.A. Happ's and Scott Eyre's.

Here's a rundown on the wounded:

Happ has been scratched from his next start because of a mild strain in his rib cage on the right side. Happ, who missed his turn Monday in Houston after he injured his side Saturday during batting practice, was to take his next turn this Saturday, when the Phils play two games against the New York Mets.

It was unclear whether Happ, a contender for rookie of the year, would miss more than his next start.

"Happ has thrown a lot of innings and it's not a bad idea to get him some rest," Proefrock said. "We're being very cautious in this situation."

Eyre, a lefthanded reliever, has soreness in his left elbow and is listed as day-to-day. He has allowed one hit in 34 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero, who had been on the disabled list since July 23 with a strained left forearm, had a cortisone shot yesterday to alleviate the soreness.

"He'll be shut down for a couple days," Proefrock said. "We'll see how he reacts to that."

Reliever Ryan Madson has mild biceps tendinitis, Proefrock said, but the righthander relieved Brad Lidge with the bases loaded in the ninth inning last night and picked up the save in a 5-3 win over the Nationals.

Righthanded reliever Clay Condrey, who has been on the DL since July 25 with a strained muscle in his left side, may be close to returning, the Phillies said.

The Phils have 26 games remaining, and with Happ unavailable to pitch in Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, the club will probably go with Jamie Moyer. Kyle Kendrick is also an option as a starter.

"And we've got a bunch of guys in the bullpen who haven't been overly taxed," Proefrock said. "Hopefully, our starters will continue to pitch well. We have a stretch of a lot of games and, hopefully, we'll have guys fresh and ready to go."

Lidge has been bothered by a blister on the index finger of his right hand, which is why he was not available to pitch the last two games of the four losses in Houston, the Phillies said.

Lidge blew his 10th save of the season in Saturday's 5-4 loss, and last night manager Charlie Manuel had to yank him in the ninth.

"It's a lot better now," Lidge said of his ailment before the game. "At this point in the season, I'm not into excuses. It's something I've got to deal with. Having the last two days off has helped a lot. It seems to be in a lot better shape now."

Lidge said he has thrown more two-seam fastballs than usual this season and thinks it may be a reason for the blister.

"Obviously it's an important finger when I'm throwing my slider," he said. "But it's not a big deal."

Lidge said it's his "mission" to finish strong.

"At some point I'll look back and say, man, that was a crap year," he said. "I've had a few things that haven't been right with me. Health-wise hasn't been quite like last year. Having said that, I feel good, and if September goes well, and then the postseason, then I'll be happy with the year. . . . If we were in second place right now, I'd feel a lot worse, but fortunately I'm on a great team."

Pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs, who is on the DL with a strained right calf, may return in a week to 10 days, the Phils said. "Dobbs is running and up to about 85 percent," Proefrock said. "We won't activate him until he's 100 percent."