Jamie Moyer, a 45-year-old lefty and the majors' oldest player, likely will start with only three days' rest after rookie lefty J.A. Happ was forced to pitch Tuesday night in relief of ineffective starter Kyle Kendrick. Moyer threw a bullpen session Tuesday and volunteered to pitch on short rest for the first time in four years.

"I have discussed it with Charlie and Jamie, and I don't think there's much risk at all," Dubee said. "I think when you look at him, you see a guy that generally controls his delivery and knows that he can't overexert himself because he's not going to get much more out of his fastball. He's a guy that pitches with wisdom. I don't think there's a whole lot of danger there. If we do it, I feel very confident about it."

Moyer, 13-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 29 starts, hasn't pitched on short rest since July 6, 2004, when he was with the Mariners. In that game, he surrendered seven runs on 10 hits in five innings in a 7-6 loss at Toronto. In his career, Moyer is 5-3 with a 4.12 ERA in 14 starts with three days of rest.

Even if Moyer starts Thursday night, the Phils will need another starter for Sunday. Kendrick likely took himself out of consideration by permitting seven runs in only 1 1/3 innings of Tuesday night's 10-8 loss to the Marlins. The Phillies could turn to Happ or perhaps right-hander Adam Eaton, who hasn't started since Aug. 30 for Class AAA Lehigh Valley.

By using Moyer on Thursday night, the Phillies could arrange their rotation to give Moyer, Brett Myers and Cole Hamels -- their top three pitchers -- four more starts apiece. They also would be lined up to pitch in the season-ending three-game series against the Nationals on Sept. 26-28 at Citizens Bank Park.

MARLINS 10, PHILLIES 8: Kyle Kendrick permitted seven runs in 1 1/3 innings, putting the Phillies in a hole too deep to overcome despite a spirited comeback. The Phillies trailed 7-1 after the second inning and 10-4 after the fifth before rallying for four runs in the sixth. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard had two hits apiece, and Howard, Shane Victorino and Greg Dobbs each drove in two runs. Kendrick's ERA in his last six starts rose to 11.35, leaving his spot in the starting rotation in jeopardy.