Zach Eflin is up from Triple A Lehigh Valley and will start for the Phillies Tuesday for the first time since May 28.
For now, Eflin replaces Jake Thompson in the Phils' rotation. To make room for Eflin on the 25-man roster, the Phillies placed catcher Andrew Knapp on the 10-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 4, with a right-hand contusion. (That means Jorge Alfaro will be up at least another week.)
Eflin wasn't at his best in his last start for the IronPigs on Aug. 3, allowing five runs on nine hits over six innings. He had a 4.72 ERA in six starts at Triple A after returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him for about a month from late May through late June.
The 23-year-old right-hander has had some flashes of success in the major leagues, though, and it makes sense for the Phillies to give Eflin some more opportunities to get into a groove. They'll likely give Ben Lively some more starts this season as well, either as a spot starter or sixth starter that helps curtail the others' innings totals.
Eflin made eight starts with the Phillies earlier this season and went 0-3 with a 6.13 ERA. In his first five outings, he had a 2.81 ERA and .233 opponents' batting average with just four walks in 32 innings. In his last three starts up here, Eflin had a 13.20 ERA and .462 opponents' batting average with five walks in 15 innings.
Control is the key for Eflin, a sinkerballer who doesn't miss many bats. Tonight, he'll face a Braves team he's pitched very well against - two runs allowed in 16 innings over two starts.
