Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Right-hander Zach Eflin got the opportunity to stick in the Philadelphia Phillies rotation this season following a season-ending injury to Clay Buchholz. Through five starts, it looked like he was solidifying his spot on the big league team, but things unwound in his final three outings with the Phillies. After allowing three runs or less in each of his first first starts, Eflin gave up 22 earned runs in 15 innings over his last three. Following an 8-4 loss to the Reds, one that saw Eflin allow seven runs in five innings, the Phillies sent him down to Triple-A to work on things.
In his first start back with Lehigh Valley, he lasted only four innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. He apparently suffered an injury as well as the Ironpigs placed the 23-year-old right-hander on the seven-day disabled list on Saturday.
Zach Eflin has been placed on the IronPigs disabled list after making just one start (Friday) since coming down from Phillies.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) June 4, 2017
Over the offseason, Eflin had two knee surgeries to correct some issues that limited him to 11 starts in 2016. Eflin has been dealing with knee issues since he was a kid, so it’s easy to suspect that could be the reason for his disabled list stint.
Eflin’s injury combined with Ben Lively’s promotion and Nick Pivetta rejoining the big league club on Monday may make the Ironpigs a little short in the starting pitching department. Right now, their rotation looks to include Mark Appel, Tom Eshelman, Ricardo Pinto and Jake Thompson. Pinto had been converted to the bullpen, but may start again with the ‘Pigs short on rotation arms.
