That Balls Outta Here
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How Eflin and Wheeler’s COVID IL stints impact Phillies’ west coast trip

By Gabrielle Starr

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 08: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies is doused with water by Zach Eflin #56 after pitching a two-hit complete game shutout against the New York Mets in a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 8, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 08: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies is doused with water by Zach Eflin #56 after pitching a two-hit complete game shutout against the New York Mets in a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 8, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Zack Wheeler and Zach Eflin going on the COVID IL couldn’t come at a worse time for the Phillies

Postseason excluded (since it’s been a decade), Zach Eflin and Zack Wheeler going on the COVID-related Injured List couldn’t come at a worse time for the Philadelphia Phillies, who are headed to the west coast for seven games against the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s also unfortunate timing in that Wheeler is coming off his best and deepest start of the year thus far, a 7 2/3-inning shutout gem against the Texas Rangers. After allowing 12 earned runs over his first three starts, he’s now pitched back-to-back scoreless games. He also hasn’t allowed a home run since his first start on April 12.

While Wheeler has improved game over game, Eflin has been more erratic, and has only pitched deeper than five innings twice. He’s coming off a less than ideal game; the Mets tagged him for six runs (five earned) over just 4 1/3 innings on the first of May. He would have started this weekend, but Friday and Saturday’s games were rained out before he went on the COVID list on Sunday.

Francisco Morales, Connor Brogdon take Zach Eflin and Zack Wheeler’s roster spots with Phillies

As the corresponding moves, the Phillies have recalled Francisco Morales to take Eflin’s spot, and added Connor Brogdon to the active roster in Wheeler’s place.

The Phillies were one of the least-vaccinated teams in MLB last year, and it certainly had a negative impact on their chances of contending. Of course, breakthrough cases are possible, too, and there have already been a few around the league. Eflin is one of them; he was already vaccinated last season when he had another COVID-IL stint, but Wheeler’s status is still unknown.

Between getting no-hit by the New York Mets and then blowing a 7-1 lead to them less than a week later, it’s been a rough stretch for the Phillies, both morale-wise and in terms of on-field results. They’re in third place in the division with a 12-16 record, including going 3-7 on the road.

But heading west without two of their best arms doesn’t bode well.

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