DENVER – The Phillies have not announced their starting pitching rotation for the final weekend of the season, so there's no official word on whether ace Aaron Nola will pitch again in 2018. He had been scheduled to make his final start on Friday. It's possible he could move back a day, picking up some extra rest, and pitch Saturday. It's possible he could be shut down. It's possible he stays on turn and pitches Friday.
More will be known in the next day or so.
One guy who will not pitch this weekend is Zach Eflin. He was removed from an ineffective start in the third inning Monday night. After the game – an ugly 10-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies – manager Gave Kapler announced that Eflin was removed from the game because he was experiencing soreness in his left side.
Eflin, who gave up five hits and five runs, said he'd been managing the issue for a couple of starts, but it flared in this game. He will travel back to Philadelphia on Tuesday to be examined by team doctors and it's safe to say his season is over.
Eflin, 24, finishes at 11-8 with a 4.36 ERA in 24 starts. The highlight of his season was the month of June. He was arguably the team's MVP that month, going 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in five starts.
Philadelphia Phillies
Complete coverage of the Fightin' Phils and their MLB rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The Phillies did not add starting pitching at the trade deadline and the team collapsed shortly afterward. The club is likely to add starting pitching this winter. Nola and Jake Arrieta's spots in the rotation will be safe. Eflin will come into camp and compete for a spot in the back half of the rotation. He has the tools to be a successful big-league starter, but needs consistency.
Phillies are dropping
Literally and figuratively.
In addition to Eflin, outfielder Aaron Altherr went down Monday night when he crashed face-first into the left-field wall trying to make a catch. He suffered a sprained right toe and a bruised right knee. He was also being evaluated for a concussion.
With six games left, he is probably done for the season.
Where they stand
The Phillies have lost five in a row. They are 15-30 since being in first place in the NL East on Aug. 5. They were 15 games over .500 then. They are now at .500 with six games to play and a sixth straight losing season is looming.
A bright spot
Roman Quinn continued to audition in center field. He made a long run and a diving catch in Coors Field's spacious outfield in the first inning and jetted around the bases for a triple in the eighth. Quinn has game-changing speed. If he can stay healthy - a challenge, always - he could be this club's opening day centerfielder next season.
And speaking of auditions …
Carlos Santana played third base again. Is there something to this? (see story)
