Kendrick "punk'd"

Former Threshers pitcher Kyle Kendrick was the target of an elaborate prank by Phillies pitcher Brett Myers.

Kendrick was told that he was traded to Japan.

Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr., Equipment Manager Frank Coppenbarger, Manager Charlie Manuel, Kendrick's agent Joe Urbon, and the media all were clued in to help pull off the stunt.

Updated at 2:30pm: This story is traveling fast around media circles, and apparently is even going to make the Today Show at 7:30am tomorrow. Kendrick and Myers will be talking via satellite to Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera.

Check out some of the coverage below:

The MLB.com version of the story

O, by the Way - Blog from the Baltimore Sun
(links to embedded video)

phillyBurbs.com

Philadelphia Inquirer

Comcast SportsNet

Kendrick has solid Major League debut

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has decided to pinch-hit Aaron Rowand for Kyle Kendrick ending Kendrick's Major League debut after six innings.

In six innings, Kendrick faced 25 batters and gave up six hits. He struck out four and walked two. His three earned runs give him a 4.50 ERA. Of his 92 pitches, 55 were strikes.

Kyle Kendrick's Major League Firsts:

Out - Jerry Owens (first inning)
Hit - Alex Cintron (double in the first inning)
K - Juan Uribe (second innning)
Hit by Pitch - Luis Terrero (second inning)
Stolen Base - Luis Terrero (second inning)
Intentional Walk - Jim Thome (fifth inning)

He also singled off of John Danks in the second inning for his first Major League hit.

Updated at 3:33pm: Ryan Madson took Kendrick's place on the mound. Aaron Rowand, who pinch hit for Kendrick in the sixth inning, hit a grand slam in the seventh inning, giving the Phillies an 8-3 lead.

Updated at 3:50pm: Former Thresher Michael Zagurski has come in to relieve Madson in the eighth.

Media reaction from Happ's start yesterday

Michael Radano from CourierPostOnline.com got these quotes from J.A. Happ:

"I'm happy to get the opportunity, but unfortunately it didn't work out," said Happ, who allowed six runs, all earned in two-plus innings in the Phillies' 6-6 tie. "I'm a realistic guy, maybe almost to a fault where maybe I look negatively on things. At the same time, my goal is to make an impression. If there's any shot, whether it's in the bullpen or wherever, I want to stay with the club. I'm hoping to stay here for as long as I can. Hopefully, I'll put my name on the radar."

Read his whole story here.

The AP has this story on the wire:

After two impressive outings in spring training, manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee wanted to get a better look at Happ, a tall, lanky left-hander who doesn't throw appreciably hard - his fastball hovers a tick above or below 90 mph - yet he strikes out batters like a power pitcher (162 strikeouts in 160 2-3 innings last season).

"We're going to watch him and see what we think of him," Manuel said. "We have interest in him. The brass says that he misses bats, so that's a good sign."

Happ's start against the Astros didn't go so well. After a relatively smooth opening two innings, he didn't get an out in the third, as four hits and a walk led to five runs.

You can read the whole story via the Biloxi Sun-Herald here.

Marcus Hayes from PhillyNews.com also had a story that can be found here via the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader.

Todd Zolecki from the Philadelphia Inquirer had this story.