- J.A. Happ made a minor league start in Dunedin yesterday.  Happ struggled in the first inning allowing three runs, but then settled in to retire 13 of the next 14 batters he faced.  Happ’s final line was five runs on six hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.  He also struck out four.  These stats don’t count against Happ’s Grapefruit League stats, which are 0-0 with a 3.15 ERA.  Although Happ’s competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Chan Ho Park, has better numbers (1-0, 2.87) this spring, the rotation spot belongs to Happ.  With the acquisition of Jack Tascher, Park’s true value is in the Phillies bullpen.

The only way I can see Happ not claiming the final rotation spot is if the send him to AAA, move Park in the rotation, and keep Mike Koplove or Gary Majewski for the final bullpen spot.  That seems highly unlikely.

- Ryan Howard hit his spring-leading 8th home run yesterday.  It came in the fourth off Pirates ace Ian Snell.  While the shot was obviously aided by the wind, it’s estimated distance was over 500 feet.  Howard is batting .293 with 8 home runs and 18 RBI’s this spring.

- Jamie Moyer had hid first rough spring start yesterday in Bradenton.  Moyer allowed seven runs on eleven hits while walking one.  These stats are somewhat inflated as Moyer didn’t have strong defense.  Two fly balls that lead footed Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins were unable to get to (which would have been caught or cut-off by Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth), led to big Pirate innings.  Moyer did strike out seven, meaning the 84mph still has batters fooled.

- Brad Lidge had another tough outing yesterday.  Lidge pitched the ninth and allowed three runs on two hits and a walk.  Garrett Jones did the damage with a three-run blast.  Lidge’s spring numbers are not too pretty (0-0, 6.00, three walks), but it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.  Lidge missed the beginning of camp with forearm tightness, so he’s still finding his comfort zone.  The last week of camp should be enough to get him ready for the season.

- Cole Hamels will not start today against the Boston Red Sox.  Hamels was originally scheduled to make his return to the Grapefruit League this afternoon, but the Phillies opted to move Cole to a minor league start this morning.  No reason as to why his start was moved, but I don’t think it’s a concern.  Most likely, they’d prefer Cole to work on his velocity and location, which is better suited against minor leaguers, as opposed to the Red Sox.  If this had anything to do with an elbow setback, Hamels wouldn’t be pitching at all.

In Hamels place this afternoon will be Joe Blanton.  The game is a 1:00 start and can be seen on CW17 here in Philadelphia.