So that little rumor that began somewhere was given some weight Thursday night in Milwaukee.

What rumor? That J.A. Happ could go to the bullpen if/when the Phils begin the playoffs.

The long and short of it is this: Scott Eyre and J.C. Romero, the team's two most reliable lefties out of the bullpen, have been plagued with injuries. If neither are viable options for the playoff roster, Happ, who began the season in the pen, is the logical choice to take the lefty bullpen spot.

“I like Happ as a starter, always have,” manager Charlie Manuel said Thursday, after Happ won his 11th game in 5 2/3 strong innings against the Brewers. “But I also see him with how our pitching looks, that there is a chance he could wind up in the back end of the bullpen if we don’t get things straightened out, like if (J.C.) Romero doesn’t get back. I’m not saying we’re going to do that, but we’re going to talk about it if we don’t have a lefty.”

While I understand the logic of needing a lefty, does taking Happ out of the rotation make good sense?

If you follow the Happ to the pen logic, the rotation for the playoffs would set up like this: Cole Hamels-Cliff Lee-Joe Blanton-Pedro Martinez.

That sounds good, right? But which Pedro Martinez will be ready to go in the playoffs? The one who dazzled everyone in his last two starts at Citizens Bank Park, or the guy who had a sore neck (and ribs?) in his last start and hasn't been as durable as Happ has been all season?

It's probably too early to debate it, since the team hasn't even clinched a playoff spot, but I think you have to value what Happ has brought as a starter, too.

It's also amazing how Happ can never be settled in any role for any period of time. Then again, he's a rookie, and he'll go where needed.

One last thing to consider: if the Phils play the Rockies in the first round (which is probable), don't expect Happ to go to the pen. Happ threw a complete game, four-hit shutout against the Rox at Citizens Bank Park last month, striking out a season-high 10 while walking two.

And the reputations of this year's Rockies team is they don't fare well against lefties.

Stay tuned.