Phillies Have Easy Decision Once Velasquez is Healthy

The Phillies should have an easy choice when it comes to making room for a healthy Vince Velasquez.

With a rehab start scheduled for Wednesday night for Double-A Reading, it appears Vincent Velasquez is close to returning to the big league club. Placed on the disabled list back on June 9, the young righty has been dealing with a strained right biceps in his pitching arm.

Once Vince Velasquez is ready to make his return, the Phillies will have to make a decision on who to send down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Luis Garcia was originally called up to fill Velasquez’s spot on the 25 man roster, but pitching prospect Zach Eflin would later arrive to fill the role in the starting rotation.

In two major league starts Eflin is 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA, but you must look past the numbers with him. He was essentially thrown to the wolves in his first major league start, being tabbed to face reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays on their home turf. Facing one of the most powerful line-ups in baseball, with the addition of a designated hitter, resulted in a tough outing for the 22-year-old Eflin.

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Despite that, he had a solid outing against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

At this point in the Phillies rebuilding process, it will not hurt to give Zach Eflin more major league experience.

With that being said, it is time to send Adam Morgan back to the Iron Pigs.

Once considered a top prospect in the Phillies organization, Morgan has battled back from injuries and has been given a fair look at what he can do in a big league uniform.

In 2016, Adam Morgan is 1-6 with a 6.49 ERA in 10 starts. His only win came over a month ago against the Atlanta Braves on May 10. He has given up more hits and nearly as many runs in as many innings pitched this year.

Let him return to Triple-A and work on the “art of pitching” so he can have a realistic chance of being a back of the rotation starter during this part of the Phillies rebuilding phase.

If Eflin proves not to be ready, Brett Oberholtzer can make an appearance or two  while top prospect Jake Thompson continues to work his way up the system. James Russell is also pitching in the minor leagues and has major league experience from his time in Chicago.