Phillies Will Start Drew Anderson Sunday

The Phillies are facing a pitching crunch in upcoming days.  With starter Vince Velasquez on the disabled list and ineligible to be activated until Wednesday and with a double-header on Monday against the New York Mets, the Phillies need help.  It appears that at least Sunday and Monday will be solved.

Pitcher Drew Anderson will start on Sunday, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told reporters including Meghan Montemurro of the Athletic after Saturday's win in Pittsburgh.   That means that Zach Eflin and Aaron Nola will pitch the double-header on Monday.  Tuesday's starter has yet to be announced.

Anderson is 5-3 with a 4.15 earned run average at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  Anderson was with the Phillies for two appearances in 2017. He had a 23.14 earned run average in those two and one-thirds innings then.    Kapler attended Anderson's last start in Lehigh Valley during Monday's off day.  Anderson allowed six earned runs and went just three and two-thirds innings.

The move allows the Phillies to put two reliable pitchers in Eflin and Nola on the mound on the same day.  This lessens the likelihood that the bullpen will need to be overused in one day.  Should the Phillies have to turn to the bullpen on Sunday, there will be about 24 hours before game one on Monday.  If a relief arm pitched on Sunday, he could still likely pitch on Monday.

The Phillies will have the opportunity to add one extra arm for the double header on Monday.  Either Zac Curtis, Hector Neris or Jake Thompson could get the call.  Additionally, since Anderson will not be needed after Sunday, the Phillies can add an arm from Triple-A.  Curtis, Neris and Thompson are ineligible for a normal promotion because they have not been in the minors for 10 days yet.  That rule does not apply in the case of a doubleheader.

The Phillies could recall the likes of Hoby Milner on Monday to replace Anderson, since he is on the 40-man roster.

Tuesday the Phillies could add Enyel De Los Santos to the major league club to make his major league debut.  To do that, they will have to be creative to make room on the 40-man roster.  But who knows - the Phillies may have an idea how to make that happen after Sunday.