Phillies Place Pitcher Zach Eflin on Disabled List to Start Season
The Phillies placed pitcher Zach Eflin on the disabled list to start the season as he makes his way back from two knee surgeries last year.
The Phillies finalized their Opening Day roster Sunday before their first game Monday. In addition, the team announced that pitcher Zach Eflin will start the season on the disabled list retroactive to March 30.
Eflin continues to rehabilitate after undergoing two knee surgeries last year. He first went under the knife Aug. 19 for surgery on his right knee, and then again Sept. 30 for his left knee. Both surgeries were intended to alleviate patellar tendinitis that Eflin had suffered from for years.
Eflin was sidelined early on in spring training when soreness in his knees re-emerged. He made a few outings with the minor-league teams, but it’s clear the team doesn’t think Eflin is quite ready to fully return.
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After Eflin’s latest bout of soreness, our own George Stockburger suggested that if the pain keeps occurring, Eflin may be forced into the bullpen in the future.
Tom Housenick of the Morning Call said Eflin should be in Triple-A Lehigh Valley by the end of April. He would then pitch in their rotation until the Phils need a pitcher at the major-league level, where Eflin would likely be the first one up.
In 2016, Eflin started 11 games in Lehigh Valley and was quite effective, posting a 2.90 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 5.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio. After his promotion to the major leagues, Eflin was up and down in his rookie year. While he pitched two complete games and had a couple effective starts, he had other poor starts that led him to finish the season with a 5.54 ERA in 63.1 major-league innings.
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For now, Eflin will remain in Clearwater in extended spring training and continue to nurse his knee back to full health. His health will definitely be something to watch throughout the year.