Zach Eflin Scratched from Triple-A Start; ML Call-up Possible
Phillies prospect Zach Eflin has been scratched from his Triple-A start, hinting at a possible call-up to the big leagues.
After Vincent Velasquez was pulled from Wednesday’s start against the Cubs after just two pitches, the Phillies and their fans have grown highly concerned about the young pitchers health. Velasquez has a history of Tommy John surgery, and the Phillies hope the flame-throwing pitcher just needs rest.
Mid-way through the game, the Phillies announced Velasquez is dealing with bicep soreness in his pitching arm.
In apparent anticipation of a possible DL-stint, the Phillies have scratched Zach Eflin from his start for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Severino Gonzalez will be making the spot-start for the Iron Pigs against the Gwinnett Braves.
In 10 starts for the Iron Pigs, Zach Eflin has a 5-1 record and a 3.14 ERA. He has struck out 51 batters in 63 innings while only walking eight.
Acquired in the Jimmy Rollins trade along with Tom Windle from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Zach Eflin is the Phillies #13th ranked prospect in their revamped minor league system. At 22-years-old, Eflin is the third-youngest player in the International League.
According to a text from the Phillies Director of Player Development Joe Jordan to Kevin Cooney of the Bucks County Currier Times, there are no injury concerns with Zach Eflin.
Joe Jordan just said in text Zach Eflin was scratched because "we wanted to kick him back a few days. No injury- just tweeked his schedule."
— Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) June 8, 2016
Tweaking Zach Eflin’s schedule could mean pushing him back a day or two until the status of Velasquez is fully understood. Should the Phillies need to make a transaction between their minor-league affiliates, this should put Eflin on track to travel up from Gwinnett, Georgia
The Phillies have an off-day Thursday as they travel to Washington D.C. to face the Nationals. Jeremy Hellickson is currently scheduled to make that start.
Stay tuned for more news surrounding the health of Vincent Velasquez and the possible call-up of Zach Eflin from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.