Phillies: Zach Eflin temporarily sidelined with back spasms

Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin reportedly has a minor setback

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed starting pitcher Zach Eflin has reportedly suffered a setback in summer camp. According to manager Joe Girardi, Eflin is listed as day-to-day, as he has been dealing with back spasms. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb also notes that fellow right-handed pitcher Victor Arano is behind, as he did not have many chances to throw during baseball’s shutdown.

It remains unclear whether this will have an impact on Eflin being ready for the start of the season, although Girardi says the injury is not serious and he does not expect it to last for too long.

Eflin, 26, missed some time in 2019 with unspecified back problems and eventually had to be placed on the 10-day injured list; the 6-foot-6 righty is projected to pitch fourth in the rotation, behind Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Jake Arrieta.

The four-year veteran finished the 2019 season with a 10-13 record, while posting a 4.13 ERA and 1.347 WHIP. Also, he struck out 129 batters over 163 1/3 innings pitched.

If Eflin’s absence is longer than expected, it could be difficult for him to enter the rotation in time for the season, which is slated to begin in less than two weeks. In that case, Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez could fill out the rest of the rotation, assuming top pitching prospect Spencer Howard is not used early on in the season.

Eflin is not the only starting pitcher in the National League East to reportedly suffer a setback on Saturday. Former Phillies southpaw starter Cole Hamels, now a member of the Atlanta Braves, skipped a side session due to triceps tendinitis. Braves manager Brian Snitker thinks the team is “probably a week away” from seeing where the left-hander is going to be.

While Eflin’s setback is currently looking to be just a day-to-day issue, anything is possible.