Two pitches was enough for Cameron Rupp to realize Vince Velasquez wasn't himself back on June 8. The 24-year-old right-hander threw two fastballs in the high 80's, a pitch that normally lands in the mid 90's, and was removed from the game with what would later be diagnosed as right bicep soreness. After a pair of bullpen sessions this past weekend, Velasquez will embark on a rehab start with Double-A Reading this week.
Vince Velasquez said he will make a rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Reading. Hopes he will need only one rehab start.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) June 20, 2016
Prior to getting hurt, Velasquez was 5-2 with a 3.65 ERA, but had allowed 20 earned runs in his last 30 1/3 innings of work. If all goes well after one rehab start and the Phillies activate him, it will be interesting to see who goes back to the minors between Adam Morgan and Zach Eflin.
The Phillies acquired Velasquez along with Brett Oberholtzer and prospects Tom Eshelman, Mark Appel and Harold Arauz in the trade that sent closer Ken Giles to the Astros. Giles hasn't duplicated the success he had while in red pinstripes. He's 0-3 with a 5.52 ERA in 33 appearances this season for Houston.
