After Some Pause, Vince Velasquez Will Undergo Surgery to Address Blood Flow Issue

Vince Velasquez will in fact have surgery.

Last week, the Phillies' right-hander was set to undergo a procedure to address a vascular issue, but plans changed ... for the time being.

"I just want to get a second opinion," Velasquez said last Friday. "Who wants to jump to conclusions too quick? I mean, if you have options to choose from."

The second opinion was had in Dallas on Tuesday, and Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said pregame Thursday that Velasquez is headed for surgery.

A timetable for the procedure is to be determined.

The 25-year-old was moved to the 60-day disabled list on Aug. 22 after tests revealed a blood flow issue in his pitching arm that has caused numbness and bruising in his right middle finger. 

"There's some kind of pinch, I guess, and it's limiting blood flow to the tip of my finger," Velasquez said last Friday. "There may be some loose cartilage or something down there at the tip of my finger that's preventing it from having that blood flow."

Philadelphia Phillies

Complete coverage of the Fightin' Phils and their MLB rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Phillies release Opening Day roster, place 5 players on IL

Phillies 2024 Opening Day postponed to Friday

The issue forced him to exit his start on Aug. 10 after one inning, which turned out to be the final outing of his 2017 campaign. Velasquez, though, was optimistic last week - surgery or not - about his prospects for 2018.

"Yes, 100 percent," he said. "It's very minor. I'll definitely be ready for spring training. The recovery is quick."

Velasquez, acquired in the December 2015 Ken Giles trade, is 10-13 with a 4.48 ERA in 39 starts with the Phillies over parts of the last two seasons.

In other injury matters Thursday, right-hander Jerad Eickhoff (right hand) was placed on the 10-day DL, while outfielders Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr - both recovering from hamstring injuries - began rehab assignments with Double A Reading (see story).

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us