Eflin (back) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin skipped his scheduled start Friday due to a back issue, but it appears to be a minor one. Assuming his bullpen session goes well Sunday, he should make a Grapefruit League start next week and will be set up to take his first turn in the rotation once the regular season begins.

Eflin (back) may be ready to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin was scratched from his scheduled Friday start against the Yankees with back issues, but the team is hoping he can get back on the mound soon. Spencer Howard (back) and Vince Velasquez (oblique) are also dealing with injuries, so the Phillies are getting short on rotation options and would certainly like to have Eflin back as soon as possible. They won't want to rush their No. 3 starter, however, so it's possible non-roster invitee Ivan Nova could take a turn in the rotation if none of the preferred choices are ready to go.

Eflin is dealing with a back issue and won't make his scheduled start Friday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin's back flared up early in the week, and he's been brought along slowly as a result. He played catch Wednesday but won't be able to make his Grapefruit League appearance Friday. Manager Joe Girardi said that he's "a little concerned," Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. With just over two weeks remaining until Opening Day, it's safe to wonder whether the issue will impact his availability to begin the season.

Eflin threw four scoreless innings against the Tigers on Saturday, striking out four while allowing two hits and no walks.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin owns a 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB through six Grapefruit League innings. The 26-year-old had something of a breakout in last year's shortened season, as his strikeout rate jumped over 10 points to 28.6 percent, though some poor batted-ball luck meant his ERA only dropped slightly from 4.13 to 3.97. His 3.39 FIP and 3.23 xFIP hint at the sort of season he could have if he keeps those sort of strikeout numbers this season while maintaining his typically strong control.

Eflin agreed to a one-year deal with the Phillies on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration.

EDGE Analysis

This was a forgone conclusion, as Eflin is firmly entrenched in the Phillies' rotation heading into 2021. He posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 59 innings last season -- numbers supported by a 3.39 FIP and 3.23 xFIP.

Eflin (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals after allowing three runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk over eight innings.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander dominated Washington through eight innings and attempted to finish a complete game, but he gave up a single and a homer before getting pulled. It's was still a strong performance for Eflin in what will be his final start of the regular season, though he could still be used out of the bullpen this weekend, if necessary. He has a 4.15 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 70:14 K:BB through 56.1 innings.

Eflin (3-2) picked up the win during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, allowing four hits and two walks over seven shutout innings in a 7-0 victory. He struck out nine.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander picked a good time for his best start of the season, as the Phillies are holding onto the first wild-card spot in the National League and are trying to catch the Marlins for the second seed in the NL East. Eflin will take a 4.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 61:13 K:BB through 48.1 innings into his final start of the regular season, currently scheduled for Sept. 25 in Tampa Bay.

Eflin (2-2) took the loss in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Marlins, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin started off poorly, allowing the first five batters to reach base in the first inning. He settled in after giving up three runs in the first, but the Phillies couldn't get him off the hook. Eflin now has a 5.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 52:11 K:BB across 41.1 innings this season. His next start is expected to be Friday versus the Blue Jays.

Eflin didn't factor into the decision during a 6-5 win over the Red Sox in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

All three runs scored on solo shots, two of them by Rafael Devers, but Eflin still exited the game in line for his third win of the year before Tommy Hunter coughed up the lead in the sixth inning. Eflin had only served up four long balls in 32.1 innings coming into Tuesday, but his career HR/9 of 1.52 suggested some regression was overdue on that front. The right-hander will take a 4.40 ERA and impressive 48:9 K:BB into his next outing Sunday as part of another twin bill, this one in Miami.

Eflin allowed four earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five across six innings Thursday against the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Eflin pitched well for the majority of the afternoon, with the majority of the damage coming on an inside-the-park home run by Trea Turner in the third inning. He generated only six swinging strikes, but now has at least five punchouts in all six of his starts this season. Overall, he has a 4.45 ERA with a 42:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings. He'll take his next turn through the rotation Tuesday against Boston.