Skip to content
Phillies
Link copied to clipboard

Velasquez exits with sore biceps as Phillies are rocked by Cubs

Vince Velasquez did not grab his shoulder or wince in pain Wednesday afternoon as he exited the Phillies' 8-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He threw just two pitches at Citizens Bank Park before calmly returning to the dugout with soreness in his right biceps.

Phillies starter Vince Velasquez leaves the game after just 2 pitches in the first inning on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.
Phillies starter Vince Velasquez leaves the game after just 2 pitches in the first inning on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

Vince Velasquez did not grab his shoulder or wince in pain Wednesday afternoon as he exited the Phillies' 8-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He threw just two pitches at Citizens Bank Park before calmly returning to the dugout with soreness in his right biceps.

The 24-year-old pitcher appeared to stay cool, but the scene was alarming. It could be the first major injury faced by the team's young pitching staff. The Phillies will have a better idea about the extent of the injury on Thursday when the righthander is reevaluated.

Velasquez faced just one batter, Dexter Fowler, who flied out to right. The two fastballs he threw zipped in at 86 and 87 mph, way slower than his usual 95-mph fastball. It was obvious that something was not right.

"I'm not concerned at all," Velasquez said. "I've been in this situation before. I know how to stay positive all the way through."

Velasquez said he did not feel the soreness until Wednesday. His biceps did not bother him during his last three starts when he registered an 8.31 ERA, the pitcher said. His fastball velocity did not decline until Wednesday. His struggles appear to be a separate issue.

Pete Mackanin said Velasquez has not been on the team's injury report. The manager said Wednesday was the first time Velasquez complained about any injury.

Velasquez told pitching coach Bob McClure that he felt a twinge while he was warming up in the bullpen. The pitcher threw a few more pitches. He said his arm felt fine. Velasquez told McClure he was ready. McClure, Mackanin, and trainer Scott Sheridan met with the pitcher in the dugout.

They allowed him to start the game and instructed him tell them if he felt discomfort. Mackanin and Sheridan left the dugout after Velasquez's second lackluster fastball. They met the pitcher at the mound and the conversation was brief.

"I went out there and he said, 'I'm not going to do this.' And I agreed with him," Mackanin said. "Why take a chance?"

If Velasquez is to miss time, he would likely be replaced by triple-A righthander Zach Eflin. Eflin, 22, was scratched from Wednesday night's start with the IronPigs, but that decision was made before Velasquez was injured. Eflin was scratched on Wednesday to provide him extra rest. He has a 3.14 ERA in 10 starts at Lehigh Valley.

Velasquez's early exit forced Mackanin to use his bullpen for almost the entire game. Brett Oberholtzer, Andrew Bailey, Colton Murray, and Elvis Araujo allowed eight runs in 82/3 innings. The offense was not much better. The Phillies did not score until the ninth inning. They were retired 19 straight times until Tommy Joseph walked to lead off the ninth.

The Phillies had concerns in December about Velasquez's shoulder when they acquired him from Houston as part of the Ken Giles trade. Those concerns caused the trade to be delayed and reworked.

The Astros previously were uneasy about the pitcher's shoulder. Velasquez had Tommy John surgery on his elbow in September 2010. He said this injury is much less severe than the one that led to elbow surgery when he was 18.

"That was pretty much one of the biggest injuries I've ever dealt with," Velasquez said. "So this is not something to be too worried about."

After Velasquez retired Fowler, he glanced at the scoreboard and read the speed of his pitch. Something was up, Velasquez thought. His manager and pitching coach noticed, too. The pitcher's afternoon - likely the shortest start in team history - was over.

"It's not something to force," Velasquez said. "So I had to do something about it."

mbreen@phillynews.com

@matt_breen