Phillies Starter Ben Lively Hits the Disabled List

The Facebook "angry face" emoji was very active for Thursday's Phillies finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Starter Ben Lively was not his best self, going just two and one-thirds innings and allowing seven earned runs before he departed the game.  There may be a reason for his poor performance: an injury.

The Phillies announced on Friday afternoon that Lively was placed on the 10-day disabled list.  The reason for the disabled list stint is a lower back strain.  To take his place on the active roster, the Phillies recalled pitcher Jake Thompson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  Thompson was 0-1 with a 10.80 earned run average in three starts.

Thompson opened the 2018 season on the Phillies active roster, but was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for Jake Arrieta.  Thompson last pitched on Sunday, so he comes to the Phillies with a fresh arm, possibly to help the Phillies in the bullpen, not starting rotation.  After the Phillies bullpen was used for six and two-thirds innings on Thursday, the Phillies may wish to rest their relief arms.

That could mean that Zach Eflin makes a start the next time Lively's turn comes up in the starting rotation.  Eflin last pitched Monday, while the IronPigs list starters as "TBD" after Cole Irvin pitches tonight and Enyel De Los Santos pitches tomorrow night.  Eflin has made four starts for the IronPigs, going 2-2 with a 4.05 earned run average.

Meanwhile, promising left-handed starter Seranthony Dominguez takes a spot on Lehigh Valley's roster.  Dominguez went 1-2 with a 2.08 earned run average in eight games for the Double-A Reading Fightin' Phils.  Dominguez could find his way onto the Phillies roster at some point in the future.

Meanwhile, Jerad Eickhoff and Mark Leiter, Jr. remain on the Phillies disabled list.  Eickhoff could still be as much as a month away, while there have been no real updates on Leiter's status as of late.  Pat Neshek is believed to be getting closer to returning, too.