Hellickson doesn't help trade value in Phillies loss to Blue Jays

After Jeremy Hellickson threw his 107th and final pitch of a so-so start, the scoreboard graphics on the right-field wall at Citizens Bank Park flickered for a few seconds to accidentally show Hellickson as a member of the Blue Jays. It is almost a guarantee that Hellickson pitches for a new team sometime in July; Toronto is a possible fit.

For now, on every fifth day, the Phillies prefer that the 29-year-old righthander improve his trade value. He was not his best Wednesday in a 7-2 loss to Toronto. It is an inopportune time for a Hellickson slump.

He has a 7.41 ERA in his last three starts. He allowed a 418-foot homer to Edwin Encarnacion that hit off the facade of the second deck in left field. He started the fourth inning with eight straight balls, and both of those walks later became Blue Jays runs.

"I just haven't been making good pitches," he said.

Just about every contender will be in the market next month for a back-of-the-rotation reinforcement, and Hellickson could be the best available option. The better Hellickson pitches between now and then, the better the prospect the Phillies receive in return.

Hellickson, who allowed four runs in six innings Wednesday, has not fulfilled that need of late. He lasted just five innings against Milwaukee on June 4. Last week, first-place Washington battered him for seven runs in six innings. Toronto's potent middle of the lineup was patient while the bottom contributed key hits.

"He's trying to be too fine, I think," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "I'd like to see him just worry more about staying down in the zone than hitting the corners because that gets him behind in counts. He uses up a lot of pitches."

Hellickson has walked nine batters in his last three starts. He walked 14 in his first 11 outings. That will raise concern.

So, too, will Hector Neris' descent. The once-unhittable reliever made a rare appearance with the Phillies trailing and made it worse. Neris allowed three eighth-inning runs. He has an 11.37 ERA in his last eight outings.

Mackanin has stressed in recent days the need to "fix" Neris, a pitcher who looks as if he could use a break. Neris, a possible trade candidate like Hellickson, cannot throw his splitter for strikes. Hitters are sitting on his fastball, much like Josh Donaldson did on a 3-1 pitch that he crushed for a solo homer.

The Phillies have two other relievers - Jeanmar Gomez and David Hernandez - who will attract contenders. But the market is flush with bullpen options. That is why every Hellickson start carries a small level of importance toward the franchise's rebuilding process.

Oakland lefthander Rich Hill, viewed as a top trade candidate, is on the disabled list. So is San Diego righthander Andrew Cashner. Both of those pitchers are free agents, like Hellickson, at season's end. Twins righty Phil Hughes broke his leg. Another A's starter, Sonny Gray, 26, has been ineffective and would command a larger prospect package because of his age. The Braves, tearing down everything, could flip young Julio Teheran. But that would require an enormous price.

So that leaves Hellickson. He is signed for a reasonable $7 million. He has, albeit limited, postseason experience. He has a decent track record of health.

All he must do is pitch to decent results on every fifth day. The Phillies acquired Hellickson for Sam McWilliams, a 20-year-old righthander who has not yet pitched above rookie ball. There is a strong chance the Phillies turn Hellickson into a better prospect than they surrendered.

What will provide pause for interested teams is that Hellickson has posted a 5.31 ERA this season against teams with winning records. The Blue Jays were the latest to exploit Hellickson. That, the Phillies hope, is a trend that soon reverses.

mgelb@philly.com

@MattGelb