Phillies activate Pat Neshek, but lose Vince Velasquez to disabled list

Four roster moves were made by the Phillies early Sunday morning

The Phillies transaction log was filled early Sunday morning as one pitcher returned from the disabled list and one entered it for the first time this year.

Veteran reliever Pat Neshek was activated for the first time this season after dealing with forearm and shoulder injuries early in the season. Philadelphia had signed Neshek back in free agency on a two-year contract with the hopes he would stabilize a young bullpen.

Vince Velasquez was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm contusion after taking a 97 MPH line drive off his pitching arm in Saturday night’s win against the Washington Nationals.

After the game, manager Gabe Kapler said x-rays were negative on Velasquez after this play.

Additionally, the Phillies optioned southpaw reliever Zac Curtis to Lehigh Valley and called up former top prospect Jake Thompson.

Because Nick Pivetta and Velasquez only lasted a combined three and two-thirds innings in the last two games, the bullpen has been excessively worked.

Thompson, a major piece in the Cole Hamels trade with Texas, has a career 5.07 ERA in 26 major league games. Originally hoped to be a number two starter, Thompson has been moved to the bullpen with little success.

Velasquez’ next scheduled start is for July 7, so the organization will need to call up a starter for at least one appearance. Enyel De Los Santos, the organization’s 11th ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, made a six-inning start on Saturday night, lining him up to appear in Velasquez’s slot.

De Los Santos was acquired from San Diego for Freddy Galvis this past offseason, and has pitched exceptionally for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. With an 8-3 record and a 1.81 ERA, De Los Santos is a prime candidate to make his major league debut in Pittsburgh this Saturday.