PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies had some interesting conversations about Nick Pivetta on Monday, but manager Gabe Kapler stressed Tuesday that they were conversations and nothing more.

Sure, many conversations among the front office, manager, coaching staff and scouts lead to nothing. Some do, of course, which is why it is noteworthy that the Phillies talked about moving Pivetta to the bullpen, if a need arises. Pivetta opened the season in the Phils’ rotation and had been a trendy pick to have a breakout season as a starter, but he was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on April 17 after he went 2-1 with an 8.35 ERA through four starts.

Pivetta struck out 14 batters in six innings on Sunday for the Iron Pigs.

What kind of weapon might Pivetta be in the bullpen?

“I think a good one,” Kapler said. “That doesn’t mean that that’s something we’re going to experiment with. It is something we’ll consider.

“The discussions were kind of similar to what we’ve seen from him out of the 'pen. He played very well in that role. And the answer is, maybe. And at the same time, we were balancing that with knowing that at any time he might be one of our five best starters. And we can envision him in a situation late in the season where he’s really important in our rotation, or sooner rather than later.

"So I think there’s a balance. I guess my personal take on it, just being open with you, is I don’t think there’s a whole lot of risk to seeing him out of the bullpen. I don’t think it stunts his development as a starting pitcher to see him out of the bullpen. But I think there are a lot of stakeholders who need to be involved in this discussion.”

The Phillies made that same move with Brett Myers in 2007. The bullpen had struggled early. Myers had struggled early, posting a 9.39 ERA in his first three starts. The Phils moved Myers to the bullpen and he thrived, posting a 2.87 ERA in 48 appearances. He saved 21 games when Tom Gordon missed time with an injury.

Myers helped the Phillies win the National League East, pitching almost every day down the stretch as they overcame the Mets. He returned to the rotation in 2008 and helped the Phils win the World Series.

“I think all of us collectively are jumping the gun,” Kapler said to reporters in his office. “It’s not a move that we’re making tomorrow. It’s something that we’re discussing and brainstorming about, but it’s not something that’s imminent.”

“By all accounts, the stuff was really good,” Kapler said about Pivetta’s start Sunday. “We all thought that if his mindset was ‘I’m going to take this through the entire outing,’ then it could’ve been even better. We’re still working on bringing the best mentality in Nick and if we’re able to unlock that with him, if we’re able to unlock the toughest mental competitor with Nick, we’re able to get a top of the rotation starter.

"And it’s worth it. All of the work that’s being done, thinking about this, considering every possible angle, is all in an effort to get him to be the pitcher we know he can be.”

Odubel moves closer to return
Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera continues to recover from a strained right hamstring. He said he could be ready to play within the week.

Herrera ran before Tuesday’s game against the Tigers.

“He actually really looked good,” Kapler said. “It looked like he had a normal gait. That was encouraging. I think that’s a progression. So it doesn’t mean that because he went out and ran today that he’s good to go tomorrow. I think we’ll re-evaluate him tomorrow and then after the off-day and see where we are.”

Arano receives injection
Right-hander Victor Arano was scheduled to receive an injection in his right elbow Tuesday. He has been on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow.

There is no timetable for his return.