Another rough outing from Zach Eflin will not be enough to push him out of the starting rotation. Gabe Kapler said after Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Braves that Eflin will make his next start for the Phillies.
Eflin lasted just 2⅔ innings and allowed six runs in Saturday’s 15-7 loss to the Braves. He has been ailed by a “heavy body” and has a 10.46 ERA in his last six starts, four of which have been five innings or shorter. He started the season as the team’s most reliable pitcher and carried an ERA less than 3.00 into the middle of June before seeming to hit a wall.
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“It’s more the ebbs and flows of the season. Sometimes you have your best stuff. Sometimes you don’t have your best stuff. Sometimes you have command. And sometimes you’re leaving the ball up in the middle of the plate,” Kapler said. “I don’t think any of our guys in this environment are good enough when their command is off and their stuff isn’t at its best. This is a really tough league with a lot of good hitters. Our guys need to come out sharp. That’s not true of any one individual. It’s true of everyone across the board. It’s such a competitive environment. You have to be strong with your command and stuff to be really good in this league.”
The Phillies will start Drew Smyly, Vince Velasquez, and Jake Arrieta this week in a three-game series against the Giants. That would leave Eflin to start next weekend against the White Sox.
The team is expected to add a starting pitcher before Wednesday afternoon’s trade deadline, which would cause them to create a vacancy in the starting rotation. That pitcher could be Eflin. Or Velasquez, who has already shuffled between the bullpen and the starting rotation. Or Arrieta, if his bone spur becomes too much to pitch through. The next week could determine who that pitcher is. Until then, Eflin will remain in the rotation.
“My job is to figure out what it is and go back to what I was doing when I was doing good,” Eflin said.
Philadelphia starting pitcher Aaron Nola, has pitched 4 innings of shutout ball against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper ,c enter, celebrates his solo home run in the first inning with his teammates in the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies left fielder Adam Haseley watches the flight of his ball as it clears the fence in the third inning for a solo home run to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies left fielder Adam Haseley could not get to the soft blooper hit to him in the fourth inning by Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies in the game against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, left, is being congratulated by teammates Aarorn Nola, center, and Scott Kingery, right, at home plate, after hitting a grand slam in the 5th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies shortstop Jean Segura, right, grabs his leg after a collision at second base on a steal attempt by Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr, left, in the 7th inning. Acuna was called safe and Segura left the game due to injury during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies centerfielder Scott Kingery can’t handle the hit by Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr in the 7th inning and allowed him to reach first base in the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nolan watches the second consecutive home run ball leave the park after being hit by the Braves Johan Camargo in the 7th inning, to give the Braves 4 runs in the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola, left, looks to the outfield as Atlanta’s Johan Camargo rounds the bases after hitting a home run off of Nola in the 7th inning in the game against Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins gets a hold of a pitch in the 7th inning and hits a two run homer to give the Phillies a 4 run lead over Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies Bryce Harper, left, taps teammate Rhys Hopkins, right, on top of the helmet after Hoskins crossed the plate after hitting a two run homer in the 7th inning to give the Phillies the lead 8-4 over the Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins gets high fives after returning to the dugout following his two run homer in the 7th inning to give the Phillies a 4 run lead over Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Phillies relief pitcher Nick Pivetta lets out a scream of delight after striking out the last batter for the third out of the 9th inning in a 9-4 Phillies win over Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park on July 28, 2019.Read moreMICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
Extra bases
The Phillies are off on Monday before hosting the Giants on Tuesday. ... Cole Irvin was optioned to triple A before Sunday’s game and Edgar Garcia returned from the minors. ... J.T. Realmuto is the first Phillies player to hit a grand slam as a catcher since Mike Lieberthal did on July 30, 2006.
