In a month where seemingly everything has gone wrong, things got even worst for the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night. Starting pitcher Vince Velasquez exited Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins with a trainer at his side in the second inning. While initial reports say Velasquez seemed to grab at his hip, the team hasn't announced yet what caused Velasquez's early departure.
Before he exited, Velasquez fastball velocity seemed off. Typically sitting around 95 miles per hour, Velasquez last few fastballs topped out at 91 miles per hour before trainers came out and checked on him. In the first inning Velasquez worked a 1-2-3 inning, but the second inning proved quick trouble as he surrendered a home run, double and single to the first three batters he faced. Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan quickly jogged out to the mound and shortly after, Philadelphia brought right-handed pitcher Mark Leiter into the game.
The 24-year-old righty entered Tuesday's start with a 5.55 ERA, 4.98 FIP and a 52/21 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings this season. Given the state of the Phillies season and the 10-day disabled list, the team could opt to play it safe an put Velasquez on the disabled list for whatever the injury is. When the team announces an update on what caused Velasquez's exit, we'll update you further.