As expected, the Phillies replaced recently-demoted right-hander Adam Eaton with lefty J.A. Happ today. Happ was 0-0 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts while filling in for Brett Myers earlier this month.

Happ will pitch out of the bullpen... unless someone (Myers?) struggles and the Phils flip-flop the two pitchers' responsibilities.

With 47 hours and 40 minutes until Thursday's trade deadline, the rumor mill is heating up...

ESPN.com columnist and former long-time Phillies beat writer Jayson Stark reported earlier that the Phils might be close to acquiring lefty reliever Ron Mahay from the Royals, using shortstop prospect Jason Donald as bait.

But the item was since updated, with the trade now termed as "not close."

But I wouldn't say it has no chance of getting done, either. The Phillies have made no bones with the fact that they would like to add a veteran lefty in the bullpen.

The 37-year-old Mahay has a 1.81 ERA in 45 games with Kansas City this season.


Another option could be Pittsburgh's John Grabow. The 29-year-old Bucs' lefty has a 3.25 ERA in 52 1/3 innings.

San Francisco's Jack Taschner and Seattle's Arthur Rhodes are also possibilities. The Phils might also have interest in Atlanta's Will Ohman - who faces the Phillies in nearly every Phils-Braves matchup - but it would be somewhat if a surprise to see the Braves deal him to a division foe.


I would cross off Colorado closer Brian Fuentes off the list, however. Reports are the price has been pretty high for the Rockies lefty... and with the team suddenly playing well in a winnable NL West, I think the Rockies will keep their team together in hopes of making another late run at a playoff spot as they did this time last year.