Vince Velasquez has been with the Phillies since 2016, and it has been an up and down journey. Joe Girardi announced this morning that the team will be making a change to the starting rotation involving Vinny V, after last night’s embarrassing loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Velasquez has struggled immensely in the month of July, posting an 8.69 ERA in seven starts, with a 1-4 record in just 29 innings pitched. The Vince Velasquez journey has had its moments, but it’s also came with severe struggle from the 7th year starter.

Chase Anderson will now move back into the rotation, but with the addition of Kyle Gibson, and the past experiences of Anderson as a starter, I can’t see this lasting that long. Chase Anderson is 2-4 on the season with a 6.75 ERA, in 13 total appearances, 8 being starts.

According to Matt Gelb, Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins is expected to remain out of the lineup on Saturday and Sunday, still nursing that groin injury. Kyle Gibson is now expected to make his first start on Sunday, in the series closer. Gibson is 6-3 on the year with a 2.87 ERA, in 19 games started. Seeing a new arm throw for the Phillies will be relieving on Sunday. If all goes according to plan (which we’re talking about the Phillies, so why would it?), Gibson will be a great back of the rotation addition to a struggling pitching lineup.

Quite the change has happened over the last hour. With Spencer Howard gone, Matt Moore being awful, and Vince being Vince, the Phillies are looking at an updated starting rotation heading into the new week. Ranger Suarez, who has been the most reliable reliever this year, will start Monday. Ian Kennedy, the newest acquired Ranger, will now close for the team for the time being. What started out as a combination of Matt Moore and Vince Velasquez, is now a combo of Gibson/Suarez/Anderson. The team needed a change, and hopefully it will work out in their favor. Enyel De Los Santos has also been optioned to Triple A, according to Tim Kelly.

It’s Nola night in Pittsburgh, as Aaron (7-6, 4.37 ERA) looks to ride his momentum after a hot last start. Segura is back in the lineup at second, Jankowski is back with the team and is playing center, and Bamboo Brad gets the start at first base for the injured Rhys Hoskins.

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images