Phillies pitching prospect Zach Eflin will make his anticipated MLB debut next Tuesday in Toronto, the Phils announced Friday.
Eflin, 22, will start in place of Vince Velasquez, who was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with a right biceps strain (see story). The 6-foot-6 Eflin has impressed this season in his first stint at Triple A, going 5-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.
Eflin was acquired by the Phillies from the Dodgers in December 2014 for Jimmy Rollins. Last season was the sinkerballer's first in the Phillies' system and he pitched well, but the organization wanted to see more swings and misses from him this season. He's obliged by striking out 21.0 percent of batters he's faced this season compared to 12.5 percent last season.