Hellickson exited Sunday's game against the Nationals prior to the sixth inning due to a right forearm cramp.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson was off to a roaring start, allowing just two batters to reach base in the first five innings while throwing just 70 pitches. The diagnosis of a "forearm cramp" makes it appear that the injury is nothing overly serious, but we'll have to wait to hear more following the conclusion of Sunday's game. He'll be considered day-to-day for now.

Hellickson tossed five innings and allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out one to beat the Reds 4-3 on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson's improvements in both walk and strikeout rates in 2016 have transferred over to his first start of the 2017 season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has never been much of a strikeout guy though (career 6.81 K/9), but he'll be valuable as a back-end fantasy starter in deeper leagues based on matchups.

Phillies manager officially named Hellickson the team's Opening Day starter Sunday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson has had a rough spring training and was touched up for eight runs (five earned) in five innings in his most recent outing, but that won't make the Phillies shy away from letting him kick off the season. Though Hellickson doesn't profile as an ace, he delivered a respectable campaign for the Phillies in 2016, turning in a 3.71 ERA (3.98 FIP) while turning in a 14.1 K-BB percentage, his best mark since his debut season of 2010.

Hellickson allowed five runs on four hits over four innings Monday in a 6-4 loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson got off to a good start, striking out six of the first eight batters he faced, but ran into trouble in the fourth inning. The veteran has already made four starts this spring, putting him ahead of pace in getting stretched out for the regular season.

Hellickson "has the best chance" to be the Phillies Opening Day starter according to manager Pete Mackanin, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mackanin added that the decision wasn't set in stone since "anything can happen in the spring," but given the fact that Hellickson garnered the Opening Day start last season and the fact that he's one of the most experienced members of Philadelphia's rotation certainly helps his cause. The 29-year-old posted a 3.71 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with the Phillies last season, and will look to build upon that against the Reds on the season's first day if he ultimately does get the nod.

Hellickson accepted the Phillies' qualifying offer Monday, meaning he will return to the team on a one-year, $17.2 million contract, Today's Knuckleball's Jon Heyman reports.

EDGE Analysis

The draft pick that would have been attached to him in free agency would have no doubt hurt his value, but this still comes as a bit of a surprise, as most thought he could receive a three or four year deal as one of the top starting pitchers in a weak free agent class. The belief is that Hellickson won't face this same dilemma next winter, as the qualifying offer system is expected to be nixed by next year and he is expected to be traded this summer, which would also make him ineligible for a qualifying offer. Hellickson is a No. 4 starter in real life terms. He can be expected to offer an ERA around 4.00 with a WHIP around 1.25 while striking out around 150 batters in 2017.

The Phillies have extended a qualifying offer to Hellickson, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson has seven days to accept or reject the qualifying offer of $17.2 million for the 2017 season. He is expected to reject it to look for a multi-year deal in a weak free agent market for starting pitchers. The Phillies will receive a compensation pick in the 2017 draft if Hellickson rejects the offer and signs with another club.

Hellickson became a free agent Thursday, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson is expected to get a $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Phillies by Monday's deadline. He is likely to decline that offer in order to pursue a long-term deal in a thin pitching market this offseason. He was 12-10 with a 3.71 ERA and a 154:45 K:BB in 189 innings this past season.

Hellickson left Thursday's game against the Braves in the fourth inning after spraining his right knee, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson had given up one hit to go along with four strike outs before his exit. He knee immediately something wrong following his last pitch and called for a trainer. It was the veteran's final start of the season, so he is fortunate to have avoided a more serious knee injury.

Hellickson exited Thursday's matchup against the Braves in the fourth inning due to an undisclosed injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hellickson left the game after pitching 3.1 innings. He had only given up one hit to go along with four strike outs at the time of his exit. It is unclear what type of injury he sustained, but he immediately knew something was wrong and called for a team trainer. This was his final start of the season.