The Phillies announced a series of roster moves Sunday, including sending right-hander Vince Velasquez to the 10-day disabled list and activating reliever Pat Neshek from the DL. Additionally, the club recalled righty Jake Thompson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned left-hander Zac Curtis.
Velasquez is headed to the shelf after suffering a right forearm contusion in a start against the Nationals on Saturday. The injury came as a result of a line drive Velasquez took off the bat of the Nats’ Adam Eaton (video here). Before landing on the DL, Velasquez racked up 88 1/3 innings across 17 starts and pitched to an underwhelming ERA (4.69), though the hard-throwing 26-year-old managed 10.9 K/9 against 3.46 BB/9 and earned favorable reviews from FIP (3.81), xFIP (3.66) and SIERA (3.55).
With the Phillies currently in possession of a wild-card spot, the loss of Velasquez will be a blow to a rotation that has been among the majors’ most effective units this year. The club’s bullpen hasn’t been a lights-out group, on the other hand, but the addition of Neshek should help matters.
Neshek divided 2017 between Philadelphia and Colorado, the latter of which acquired him last summer, and posted a pristine 1.59 ERA with 9.96 K/9 against .87 BB/9 in 62 1/3 innings. The Phillies then reunited with Neshek in the offseason on a two-year, $16.25MM contract, but he hasn’t pitched for the club since securing that pact. The 37-year-old had been dealing with shoulder and forearm issues dating back to March, though he’s now finally set to rejoin Philly’s bullpen as the team seeks its first playoff berth since 2011.
Why DL Velazquez? He can just pitch left handed till his right arm feels better hehe
Cause he sucks lol
That play was probably one of the best I’ve ever seen from a pitcher, it’s a pity he had to get injured to show off that talent
Why are they still fooling around with Thompson? Any other team would be bringing up a legitimate young prospect (who would probably shut out the Phillies in his debut). They have two at LHV in Irvin and de los Santos. Why not give one of them a shot? Are Klentak & Co. really that conservative, or just that gutless?
They’re probably just calling him up as an extra arm. They probably plan to start de Los santos, but there’s no reason to call him up now since he wouldn’t pitch until Velasquez’s next turn- 4 or so days from now.
Or Eickoff
True that. Guess I’m just a little tired of going-nowhere retreads like Thompson and Curtis popping back and forth.
Quirky schedule -2 off days this week, then 11 games in 10 days before AS Break. Vinnie wouldn’t be needed before Saturday , so Thompson is an arm for use..
I’ve always been a fan of Neshek, not only for his pitching talent, but because he’s a fellow Metalhead. \m/
“A healthy Eickhoff — along with triple-A starters Cole Irvin and Enyel De Los Santos — gives the Phillies some pitching depth for the rest of the season.”
Since De Los Santos is not on the 40 man roster, what impact does that have on the Phillie Brass on whether to bring him or lively up? Do they have to be added to the 40 before they play or after the game? Was just wondering
Zac curtis is DFAable
to be called up they have to be added to the 40 man roster. They currently have 39 players on the 40 man roster so he could be added without cutting something, but Eickoff is on the 60 day DL, which means he’s technically not on the roster; if he gets healthy or has to be activated—and rules stipulate he must be if he starts a rehab assignment—then the Phillies would have to DFA someone when he is ready to pitch.
So it’s not a great idea to add anyone to the 40 man roster at this point. If they’re already on it they have a chance to be called up; if not, they’re staying in the minor leagues.
Tom, thanks for the explaination.
wish hunter would be taken off the 25 man roster. this guy is just horrible. so far a waste of money and roster spot. if he remains on roster he should be allow to pitch in mop up situations or blowouts.