Velasquez expected to start for the Phillies against the Mets
The New York Mets take on the Philadelphia PhilliesAUGUST 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yields two runs in relief Velasquez allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in one inning pitched during Thursday's loss to the Orioles.
Impact Velasquez was considered an option to start Friday's game against the Mets but that nod appears to be going to Spencer Howard after Velasquez entered Thursday's game in the eighth inning. The right-hander was able to strike out the lone batter he faced in the sixth inning, but he gave up a two-run double to Jose Iglesias in the seventh. It's unclear how the Phillies plan on using Velasquez in the coming days, although he remains a candidate to start one of the games during the doubleheader against the Blue Jays on Aug. 20.
AUGUST 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Could be used in piggyback role Velasquez and Spencer Howard are both preparing to start Friday's game against the Mets, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Impact Both pitchers are in line to start Friday after each starting one half of Sunday's doubleheader against Atlanta. The Phillies appear to be leaning towards Velasquez getting the nod, though a piggyback role appears possible. The Phillies will need a six-man rotation at times down the stretch, as they're expected to play quite a few doubleheaders to make up for their lost week of games early in the season. Piggybacking the pair would keep both pitchers stretched out.
AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Phillies pitching makeover? Spencer Howard, Vince Velasquez and the path forward Howard is here for a reason, and he will contribute innings for this team. But how? And how can the Phillies fix the obvious bullpen issues?
AUGUST 10, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Fans six in no-decision Velasquez allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over four innings in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Braves. He didn't factor into the de...
Impact Velasquez had a rough outing his first time around this year, but he turned things around in the first game of Sunday's twin bill. He gave up a baserunner to begin the fifth inning prior to his removal, but the bullpen couldn't limit production during the rest of the frame en route to a 5-2 loss. However, Velasquez escaped with a no-decision. The right-hander will attempt to build on his momentum at home Friday against the Mets.
AUGUST 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Acuna hits 3 home runs in Atlanta's doubleheader sweep
Ronald Acuna Jr. homered twice and Freddie Freeman also went deep to spoil the debut of Phillies’ top pitching prospect Spencer Howard and lead the Atlanta Braves to a doubleheader...AUGUST 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting first game of twinbill Velasquez will start the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Braves.
Impact Though the Phillies will bring up top pitching prospect Spencer Howard ahead of the second half of the twinbill, there will temporarily be room for him and Velasquez to maintain starting roles with Philadelphia running out a six-man rotation while the team completes a stretch of six games in five days. The performances of Velasquez in the first game and Howard in the second game of the doubleheader will likely dictate which of the two gets the nod when a fifth starter is needed again Friday versus the Mets. Velasquez entered the season with little security in the rotation and didn't help his case by failing to escape the fourth inning in his 2020 debut July 26 versus the Marlins.
AUGUST 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Ynoa scheduled to start for Atlanta at Philadelphia
The Atlanta Braves face the Philadelphia PhilliesAUGUST 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Arrieta tosses 6 scoreless in Phillies' 5-0 win over Braves
Jay Bruce and JAUGUST 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Start moved to Sunday Velasquez will start one of the two games during Sunday's doubleheader after Friday's game was rained out, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Impact With Jake Arrieta lined up to start Saturday, Velasquez's start will be pushed back two days as a result of Friday's postponement. It's unclear whether he'll start the first or second game Sunday. The starter for the other game in the doubleheader hasn't officially been named, but top pitching prospect Spencer Howard could line up to make his major-league debut.
AUGUST 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Wright expected to start for Braves at Phillies
The Atlanta Braves face the Philadelphia PhilliesAUGUST 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Braves' Markakis hits walkoff HR after opting into season
Nick Markakis capped his first start of the season with a game-ending home run in the ninth inning that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue JaysAUGUST 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
J.T. Realmuto's 3-run homer helps Phillies beat Yankees 5-4
JAUGUST 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lines up for another start Velasquez is tentatively slated to start Friday's game against the Braves, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Impact The Phillies will reorder their rotation after taking the past week off due to COVID-19-related concerns following their season-opening series with the Marlins. As a result, Velasquez lines up to start the first game of the Phillies' homestand Friday, assuming no postponements before the weekend result in other starting pitchers getting pushed back. After the Marlins tagged him for four runs over three innings in his season debut July 26, Velasquez may need a bounce-back outing Friday just to maintain his spot in the rotation. Top pitching prospect Spencer Howard is waiting in the wings at the Phillies' alternate training site and should get a look in the big-league rotation at some point in 2020.
AUGUST 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Marlins top Phillies 11-6 as specter of coronavirus looms
Brian Anderson and Miguel Rojas each hit three-run homers and the Miami Marlins overcame the late scratch of their starting pitcher and a looming health scare to beat the Philadelp...JULY 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buried by the Marlins Velasquez allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings Sunday against the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.
Impact Velasquez cruised through the first inning, striking out the final two batters he faced. However, he ran into trouble quickly in the second frame, during which he allowed two home runs that accounted for all of his earned runs. Velasquez claimed the fifth spot in the rotation with a strong summer camp, but his role could be in jeopardy with Spencer Howard nearing a call-up to the big-league club.
JULY 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Fans four in intrasquad outing Howard struck out four while recording nine total outs and allowing two runs in an intrasquad game Friday at the Phillies' satellite camp, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports...
Impact He gave up four hits (two singles and two doubles) and issued two walks, so while the strikeout stuff was present, his command could have been better. Vince Velasquez, who gave up four runs in three innings Sunday against the Marlins, could move to the bullpen and be replaced in the rotation by Howard on Friday against the Blue Jays.
JULY 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Urena expected to start for Miami at Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Phillies play the Miami MarlinsJULY 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gosselin homers twice, Wheeler sharp in Phillies' 7-1 win
Phil Gosselin hit two home runs, Didi Gregorius went deep again and new dad Zack Wheeler won his Philadelphia Phillies debut in a 7-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on SaturdayJULY 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting Sunday's game Velasquez will start Sunday's series finale against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.
Impact The 28-year-old had yet to be confirmed as a member of the Phillies' starting rotation, but he'll take the mound in the final game of the opening series. Velasquez has been up-and-down over the past few seasons and posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.39 WHIP last season, but he's performed well in summer camp and may benefit from the change in the team's pitching coach this offseason.
JULY 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
So we’re doing the Vince Velasquez thing again? People are inexplicably starting to believe in "Vinny Velo" again
JULY 21, 2020 • THEGOODPHIGHT.COM
Velasquez shines in nearly spotless outing Vince Velasquez said Monday night that nobody has told him if he earned a job in the Phillies’ rotation. He sure has made a strong case for...
JULY 21, 2020 • MLB.COM
Girardi back in Bronx for exhibition ahead of Phillies debut
Joe Girardi returned to Yankee Stadium but was in the visitors' dugoutJULY 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cessa rejoins Yankees after recovering from coronavirus
Yankees pitcher Luis Cessa threw a 31-pitch bullpen as he returned from a layoff caused by a positive test for the coronavirusJULY 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Impresses in intrasquad action Velasquez looked quite good in an intrasquad game Tuesday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Impact Velasquez threw four innings, striking out six while allowing just two hits and a single walk in his second impressive outing of summer camp. The Phillies haven't officially named him their fifth starter, but it seems as though he has the edge for the role, with manager Joe Girardi saying, "I don't think you can ignore what he's doing." Velasquez has continually failed to deliver on his promise in four seasons with the Phillies, struggling to a 4.91 ERA last season, but a change in pitching coach could help improve his numbers this season, as the previous regime emphasized throwing up in the zone in a way that didn't seem to suit him well.
JULY 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
