J.A. Happ’s recovery from a left forearm strain is not going well.

The 26-year-old lefty suffered a setback while rehabbing Friday. He threw a 20-pitch bullpen session, which didn’t go well.

It’s might be another week or 10 days before he can play in minor league rehab games.

The injury bug  could take another bite out of the Phillies rotation.

According to CSNPhilly.com, J.A. Happ could miss his next scheduled start Wednesday against Atlanta.

Happ is dealing with forearm stiffness.

If Happ doesn’t pitch, it’s likely the Phils will go with Nelson Figueroa, who has been a pleasant surprise since being acquired on waivers at the end of spring training.

Joe Blanton (strained oblique) is slated to return in about two weeks. If Happ misses significant time, the starting rotation would include Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer and Figueroa as the Nos. 3, 4 and 5.

The Phillies’ spring training opener against Florida State was highlighted (if that’s the right word) by top pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont’s outing.

The 6-7 right-hander allowed five runs on three hits while issuing three walks in 2/3 of an inning.

“It’s the first outing, you have to start with that,” Aumont said . “I can’t do worse than that. We’re just going to have to build on that.”

As for the rest of the game:

• Every Phillies regular started the game except for Shane Victorino, who is nursing a sore shoulder.
• Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a single and stole second base in his only at-bat.
• Top position-player prospect Domonic Brown singled, knocked in a run and scored twice.
• Dane Sardinha went 2-for-2 with four RBIs.
• J.A. Happ pitched two scoreless innings
• Jesus Sanchez, the only player left from the Bobby Abreu trade to the Yankees in 2006, struck out the side in his only inning of work.
• The Phillies rallied from a five-run deficit to win, 13-6, in eight innings.
• Drew Naylor didn’t allow a hit and fanned four in two innings of work.

According to reports, including CSNPhilly.com, Roy Halladay and his agent are in Philadelphia today discussing a potential contract extension.

All indications are that a trade involving Halladay is imminent. The specifics of the deal are unknown at this time. However, the Phillies absolutely want to sign Halladay to extension before they make a trade.

Sources told CSNPhilly.com that Halladay could undergo a physical as early as Monday night. While Halladay has a no-trade clause in his current contract, he would waive it to come to Philadelphia,

OK… So what does this all mean? It’s very possible that Cliff Lee is a part of a mega three-way deal for Halladay.  Lee is attractive trade bait because of his desire to test free agency after 2010. However, it’s still possible that the Phillies would trade J.A. Happ and prospects (Michael Taylor, Domonic Brown or Kyle Drabek). I expect a major announcement in the next few hours …

Multiple reports, including FOXSportsnet, have the Phillies as the No. 1 bidder to acquire Roy Halladay.

However, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is essentially denying those reports.

“I don’t think there’s any likeliness,” Amaro said, regarding the possibility of the Phillies being linked to Halladay. “There’s nothing likely …”

Is Amaro dicking everyone around? Verypossible. But, I think the Blue Jays are going to want J.A. Happ and a pair of top-level prospects, notably outfielder Domonic Brown and pitcher Kyle Drabek, OR Brown and outfielder Michael Taylor.

And I don’t think Amaro would pull the trigger if TWO of those young studs are required …

WITH THAT BEING SAID …

If a deal does happen, and the Phillies part way with those aforementioned prospects and Happ, it’s likely the team will shed salary. Joe Blanton, who will probably make around $7 million next year, would be probably be traded if Halladay comes to town.

So,  the Phillies’ rotation in 2010 would be Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick/Drabek…

Unfortunately, the Phillies are interested in John Smoltz and Jason Marquis to fill out the rotation …

Pedro Martinez remains interested in a return to the Phillies.

The three-time Cy Young award winner told the Associated Press Saturday, “(The Phillies) treated me very well and they were very professional. They will always have the door open.”

While the Phillies will passively attempt to upgrade their starting rotation, the focus during the offseason is the bullpen. As it stands now, the Phillies’ rotation consists of Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton next year. It’s very possible that Jamie Moyer returns, if deemed healthy, or top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek wins a job out of spring training.

Chances Pedro is a Phillie next year are slim and none.

Also, I absolutely do not expect them to empty the farm system for Roy Halladay or sign second-tier starting pitchers, such as Jason Marquis or Randy Wolf …

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Roy Halladay could be coming to Philadelphia.

The Phillies are “very much in the picture” because ”Philadelphia is into winning now, and Halladay fits that,” said one rival team executive, according to the report.

Here we go again...

It is believed that the Blue Jays would not demand such a premium package considering Halladay is on the last year of his contract. A trade for Halladay would likely require stud  prospects Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown. Kyle Drabek remains untouchable, according to The Inquirer.

In addition to a top prospect (or two), J.A. Happ, Shane Victorino and Cole Hamels could also be discussed in trade talks.

Brett Myers could return for the World Series, according to an ESPN.com report.

Myers was left off the NLCS roster. The 2009 Opening Day starter was sidelined from May to September after undergoing hip surgery.

Brett Myers, left, in happier times.

Myers didn’t make the NLCS roster in large part because he hadn’t looked particularly good throwing the ball. That, apparently, has changed.

“His stuff is sharper,” GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “His breaking ball’s better. He was pretty crisp with his location. He’s throwing better. And that’s a great sign.”

Adding Myers would likely result in the Phillies carrying 12 pitchers in the World Series. They had 11 pitchers for the NLCS.

Eric Bruntlett or Miguel Cairo would likely be the odd man out for the World Series, if Myers is activated.

Tyler Walker, Kyle Kendrick and Clay Condrey have been throwing simulated games. It’s very unlikely either of those three relievers will be on the World Series roster, unless there is an injury.

ESPN.com also reported that Charlie Manuel will likely make Cole Hamels the Game 2 starter, behind Cliff Lee. Pedro Martinez or J.A. Happ would start Game 3.

It’s possible that Manuel goes with only three starting pitchers. That would allow Lee to start Games 1, 4 and 7.

I love that idea. Why is everyone so hellbent on picking four starting pitchers??? I don’t need to see Joe Blanton or even Happ for that matter make a start in the World Series.  I want Cliff Lee out there as many times as possible…

I just heard an ESPN Radio report that Charlie Manuel is “leaning” toward starting Cole Hamels in Game 2 of the World Series.

Is that the right decision?

Some fans would prefer not to see the lefty at all in the World Series. Um, well, what are you going to do with him? Leave him off the roster? Put him in the bullpen? Nah.

I don’t think Hamels has been Adam Eaton in the playoffs. Yes, he’s had his struggles, but the dude hasn’t been awful.

The best option, in my opinion, is letting Hamels take the mound in Game 3. Cliff Lee is the obvious Game 1 starter. Joe Blanton should pitch Game 2. I like Hamels pitching at home because that would take some of the pressure off (I hope). Pedro Martinez should get the nod in Game 4.

J.A. Happ hasn’t proved that he is ready for the big stage. I think he’s more valuable coming out of the bullpen to face left-handed hitters.

Obviously, the rotation isn’t set in stone, but there’s no possible way Hamels is left out…

Philadelphia Daily News beat writer David Murphy tweeted that J.A. Happ has been named Sports News National League Rookie of the Year.

That’s all I know at this point. No major news outlets are reporting this yet.