By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
While speculation exists who the Philadelphia Phillies might acquire externally to bolster their faltering bullpen, one promising internal option may soon return to the big-league club — right-hander Pat Neshek.
Neshek, 37, was in Philadelphia during the club's Monday evening series opener against the New York Yankees, and on Tuesday had his rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Reading. The Phillies' lone 2017 All-Star is "expected" to pitch in the Fightin Phils' game against the Erie SeaWolves on Tuesday, according to a team-released statement.
Pat Neshek says he is proud of what young Phillies are doing
“Awesome. You didn’t know how many years it would take to unfold. Pretty proud of the guys. It’s been fun to watch. Weve opened a lot of people’s eyes in baseball”#BeBold pic.twitter.com/bb7WkM2WCS
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 25, 2018
Neshek has missed all of the 2018 season thus far with shoulder and forearm injuries. He threw a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance with High-A Clearwater on Saturday, striking out two of his three batters faced.
The Madison, Wisconsin, native went 3-2 with a 1.12 ERA in 43 appearances with the Phillies last season, before being dealt to the Colorado Rockies for minor-leaguers Jose Gomez, J.D. Hammer and Alejandro Requena. Neshek returned to the Phillies in the offseason upon signing a two-year, $16.25 million pact.
