Updated: 11:10 p.m.
MIAMI — So much for Vince Velasquez building on that good outing last week against Colorado …
Velasquez exited Tuesday night's start against Miami in the second inning with a right elbow flexor strain.
That is not good news. Clay Buchholz suffered a similar injury in April and required season-ending surgery. Cliff Lee suffered a flexor strain in 2014. He opted not to have corrective surgery, suffered a setback the next spring and never pitched again.
The severity of Velasquez's injury and whether or not he will require surgery was not immediately known. The pitcher had Tommy John surgery on the same elbow in September 2010.
Velasquez suffered a noticeable drop in velocity on his fastball in the second inning. He fired at 94 mph in the first inning, but slipped several miles per hour in the second inning. He threw just 19 pitches before exiting. Mark Leiter Jr. took over.
Velasquez recorded only one out in the second inning. He allowed a leadoff homer to Marcell Ozuna (on a 90-mph fastball) and a booming double to Justin Bour (on an 88-mph fastball) to open the frame.
MLB
In his previous start, Velasquez pitched five innings of one-run ball against Colorado. He relied on a high, riding fastball in that game and was eager to employ the same approach against Miami on Tuesday night.
So much for that plan.
Velasquez, who turns 25 next month, will go on the disabled list (see story).
The Phillies are already down one starter with Zach Eflin having been sent to the minors. Ben Lively is likely to take that spot and pitch Saturday against San Francisco in Philadelphia.