Phillies Notes: Dual role possible for Phils' Happ

As the Phillies prepare for the National League division series that will begin Wednesday, one of the unanswered questions is the role J.A. Happ will play.

Will the rookie of the year contender be the fourth starter rather than Pedro Martinez? Or will he pitch out of a bullpen that's dangerously short of lefthanded relievers?

The answer to both questions could be yes.

Manager Charlie Manuel acknowledged yesterday that he has been pondering a dual role for Happ, who is scheduled to start the final game of the regular season against Florida today at Citizens Bank Park. He also said it was one of the possibilities he and pitching coach Rich Dubee would address.

"I'm not saying we're going to do it, but it's run through my mind that if Happ is sitting there in the bullpen and he's only thrown an inning or so, that if we need him, he could come back and take a regular turn," Manuel said. "I'm not saying we would do that, but it does get on my mind. Happ's been really good for us. He's one of the guys who has been a big surprise. I think he can handle that."

Manuel's admission that he believes Happ can fill both roles indicated that the 26-year-old will be an option out of the bullpen for at least the first two games of the division series. Game 4, if necessary, will be played next Sunday.

Happ had success out of the bullpen before he moved into the rotation on May 23. In 12 relief appearances, he was 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA.

Other than Scott Eyre, the Phils don't have a reliable lefthander in the bullpen. And Eyre's situation is uncertain because of a "loose body" near his elbow. The Phils last week lost Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero to injuries. The two other possibilities - Sergio Escalona and Antonio Bastardo, who was recalled yesterday - are inexperienced and untested in the postseason.

Brad Lidge received a standing ovation as he jogged to the mound for the ninth inning yesterday. He pitched a clean inning and afterward said he was trying something different he believes is helping him against lefthanders. But he wouldn't say what it was.

"Today was probably the best command I've had all year," he said. "So hopefully, I can get out there and peak at the right time."

Before yesterday's 4-3 loss to Florida, Manuel said Ryan Madson was slightly ahead of Lidge as his closer, but he made it clear he would turn to Lidge during the postseason.

"We've got Madson, then we've got him," Manuel said. "Right now, Madson's probably the guy I would go to. But Lidge is going to have to pitch, and he's going to have to do the job.

"He's had an off year, a bad year, any way you want to put it, but at the same time he's still got the same stuff. He's still got the talent to get you out. I believe in him, and I'm sure he still believes in himself."

Chase Utley went 0 for 3 before he was pulled, leaving him hitless in his last 17 at-bats. He is batting .190 (22 for 116) with two home runs and nine RBIs since Sept. 1. "He gets kind of worn down, mentally and physically," Manuel said. "He needs some rest." . . . Ryan Howard hit his 45th home run and raised his league-leading RBI total to 141. He has 23 homers and 74 RBIs since the all-star break. . . . Jimmy Rollins has a six-game hitting streak (10 for 25, .400). . . . The Phillies' bullpen allowed one run over six innings.