Phillies' Morgan encouraged by fastball's velocity

The Phillies hoped that Adam Morgan would be able to recover the velocity on his fastball after shoulder surgery two years ago sapped the pitch of its speed. Friday night - Morgan's first major-league start this season - was an indication that the fastball is turning a corner.

Morgan threw 51 of his retooled fastballs in five innings of a 4-3 win over Cleveland. The pitch, according to PITCHf/x data, zipped at an average speed of 90.8 mph. Morgan's fastball hovered in the low 90s before he had surgery in January 2014 to close a gap in his left shoulder.

Morgan said that last season he tried to use his legs more in his delivery as a way to alleviate stress on his shoulder. He wanted to do whatever it took to make sure his shoulder did not fail him. This season, he said, is different. Morgan feels as if he is in control of his whole body. He feels stronger, and his pitches are faster.

"Everything is good, and that's what I'm excited about. Everything has been progressing phenomenally," Morgan said. "It's a good sign, for sure. I'm feeling good, and it gives me confidence."

Morgan's fastball accounted for 53 percent of his pitches Friday. He used it to set up four of his career-high seven strikeouts, as Morgan fired fastballs before whiffing the batters on an off-speed pitch. Not only was the pitch faster, but it was effective.

"It's good to see him back with increased velocity," manager Pete Mackanin said. "He threw some good breaking balls and real good change-ups."

Dalier Hinojosa was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hand contusion. The reliever was hit Thursday by a line drive in the wrist. He did not allow a run in eight of his last nine outings.

Hinojosa is expected to only miss a few daysm but he was still unable to grip a ball Saturday. He had X-rays Thursday, and they were negative. He does not expect to be out more than 15 days. The Phillies filled his roster spot with righthander Colton Murray.

"I would love to be here right now for my teammates because we're going through a good moment," Hinojosa said. "They need my help, and I want to help them. But I understand."

Vince Velasquez will face righthander Danny Salazar in the series finale. Velasquez allowed five earned runs in his last 101/3 innings after starting the season without letting up a run in 15 innings. . . . Sunday's game will start at 2:35, an hour later than normal, because of the Broad Street Run, which finishes nearby at the Navy Yard.