The Phillies' rotation depth has taken a hit.
Jake Arrieta will be placed on the 10-day injured list with an elbow injury on Wednesday, according to MLB.com.
Jake Arrieta will be placed on the IL. But no decision has been made if he will pitch again this season or not. Zach Eflin will start Saturday. Also, Logan Morrison is on the lineup card for tonight.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) August 14, 2019
Arrieta told reporters he is likely heading toward surgery, and if he undergoes a procedure, he will probably be out for the season.
Jake Arrieta said he is likely headed toward surgery. If he has the elbow procedure he said he “probably” will not pitch again this season. Also, is unlikely to exercise player opt-out of contract following the season.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) August 14, 2019
The 33-year-old veteran is 8-8 with a 4.64 ERA this season and has one year remaining on the three-year, $75 million deal he signed with the Phillies before the start of last season.
He said he is unlikely to opt out of the final year of his deal even though he has a player option.
The news of Arrieta's injury comes at an unfortunate time for the Phillies, who are in the middle of a wild-card race as well as being a long shot to win the National League East.
Philadelphia is 61-58 on the year, nine games out of first in the East. But it is just two games back of the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot.
The Phillies will need all the pitching they can get down the stretch and with Arrieta being out, Philadelphia is down to one surefire starter in its five-man rotation in Aaron Nola.
Starter Zach Eflin will start Saturday in Arrieta's absence but he was already demoted to the bullpen in July and then sent down to Triple-A in early August due to poor performance.
While Vincent Velasquez made waves with an awesome throw to the plate while playing left field in recent weeks, he has a 4.30 ERA and a mere four wins on the season.
The rotation hasn't been great and now its depth has gotten worse. It's going to be very tough for Philadelphia down the stretch.