The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the sport’s best one-two punches at the top of their starting rotation in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. However, it increasingly appears that adding a mid-rotation starter might have to be the No. 1 priority for president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski in advance of the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
It remains unclear when Zach Eflin will return to the mound for the Phillies, as he continues to deal with right knee soreness. Interim Rob Thomson said Friday that the Phillies do expect Eflin to return at some point this season, but with no clear timetable, it wouldn’t be wise for the team to bet on the oft-injured 28-year-old.