Zach Eflin

Lehigh Valley IronPigs pitchers Zach Eflin, left, and Mark Appel, right, talk in the clubhouse during the annual media day April 4, 2016, prior to the start of the season at Coca-Cola Park. (Matt Smith | lehighvalleylive.com contributor)

Zach Eflin got scratched from a scheduled start last month, but it didn't have anything to do with the Phillies. Instead it was a rainstorm that hit Allentown after he warmed up, and Lehigh Valley IronPigs manager Dave Brundage didn't want to risk injury by throwing him again after an 81-minute delay.

Eflin was scratched from his start again Wednesday in Gwinnett. This one may have to do with the big league club.

Phillies starter Vince Velasquez left Wednesday afternoon's game after just two pitches with what the team called "right biceps soreness." The extent of the injury is not yet known, but the signs point toward Eflin being a top candidate to replace him in the rotation if he is to miss time.

Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan told Calkins Media's Kevin Cooney that there was no injury to Eflin.

Joe Jordan just said in text Zach Eflin was scratched because "we wanted to kick him back a few days. No injury- just tweeked his schedule." — Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) June 8, 2016

In 10 starts with the IronPigs this season, Eflin is 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA, striking out 51 while issuing only eight walks. His best start came on April 17 when he spun a two-hit gem over eight shutout innings.

Eflin had posted a 2.05 ERA over his first eight starts, but has allowed 10 earned runs in 10.1 innings over his last two starts. The 22-year-old righty is currently the third-youngest pitcher in the International League.

Acquired in the Jimmy Rollins trade, Eflin would have to be added to the Phillies' 40-man roster if he is the pick to fill in for Velasquez.

Severino Gonzalez was listed as Wednesday's spot starter for the IronPigs, who return home Friday for a 10-game homestand.

Greg Joyce may be reached at gjoyce@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @GJoyce9.