Eflin seizes on opportunity, throws 5 strong

Zach Eflin strikes Asdrubal Cabrera out and catches him swinging in the bottom of the 3rd inningEflin made his season debut Tuesday night in a 6-2 victory in 10 innings over the Mets at Citi Field. He allowed three hits, two runs, three walks and struck out four in five innings. Knowing that Buchholz needs an estimated four-to-six months to recover, Eflin's spot in the Phillies rotation is his if he performs.

"I prepared myself for something like this," Eflin said. "Obviously, it's terrible that something like that happened to Clay. But it's my job as a depth guy to make sure I do everything in my power to make sure that I'm ready."

Eflin had chronic knee pain for the past 10-12 years before…